Understanding Grandparent Visitation Schedules
Having the opportunity to visit with and spend time with their young grandchildren is something that many grandparents value. Thankfully, even in situations where parents may attempt to deny access to grandchildren, the state of California provides opportunities for grandparents to request visitation rights. But exactly how often will you be allowed to see your grandchild? In this blog post we address how often California grandparent visitation rights allow grandparents to see their grandchildren.
Do Grandparents Have the Legal Right to See Their Grandchildren?
Similar to other family law matters such as custody or child support, grandparent visitation rights are trumped by whatever is determined to be in the child’s best interests. In most cases where a grandparent files with the court to request visitation rights, they will need to prove that it is in the child’s best interests that those rights be allowed. Cases where it would be in the child’s best interest to continue seeing their grandparents include:
- If there was already an existing relationship or bond between the child and their grandparents
- That the child’s best interests in this situation outweigh the parent’s right to determine who may and may not have access to their child
Who Determines the Grandparent Visitation Schedule?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should be allowed to see your grandchild. This will depend largely on the child’s best interests and what the parent’s schedule reasonably allows. In some cases, if your visitation rights pose an undue financial burden on the parents, you may be required to pay some transportation costs for visitations.
If you are able to, undergoing mediation with the parents of your grandchild outside of court is preferable. This would allow you to meet with the parents and their attorney along with your own attorney and work to come to an agreement on how often you will be allowed to visit with your grandchild.
In cases where a schedule cannot be agreed upon by the parents and the grandparents, the court may get involved and help set a visitation schedule.
Get Help Obtaining Visitation Rights As a Grandparent
We understand how important it is for you to have access to and be allowed to spend time with your grandchildren. That’s why Alternative Divorce Solutions works hard to obtain grandparent rights for individuals in California.
If you need help requesting visitation rights, call 949-368-2121 today or reach out to our team online to schedule a consultation.