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Do grandparents have legal visitation rights in Georgia?

On Behalf of | Jan 2, 2020 | child custody & visitation

The fallout from a divorce can affect everyone in your Georgia family, but what happens when your son-in-law or daughter-in-law wants to restrict you from seeing your grandchildren? This can be a painful experience, especially if your adult child feels that he or she cannot step in and force a visitation schedule for fear of further retaliation from the ex-spouse or his or her lawyer. However, there are some actions you can take that may help you remain a part of your grandchildren’s lives. 

Divorce is common in Georgia; in fact, U.S. News marks it as among the top ten states that carry the highest rates for failed marriages. When children are involved in these splits, you might find that the relationship with your grandchildren’s mother or father, depending on which one initiated the divorce, may change rapidly. Hostility and bitterness can grow quickly, especially if the divorce is a contentious one. If you find yourself suddenly cut off from your grandchildren because of these reasons, the state of Georgia may allow you to seek visitation rights, especially if you can prove you have played a significant role in your grandchildren’s lives. If you do plan to petition the court, this may be a separate hearing where the parents might not be present. It is important to remember that while you have the right to petition the court for visitation rights, there are no guaranteed rights in Georgia that give you free and clear access to your grandchildren until if and when the visitation rights are enforced by the court. 

This content is provided as an information resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice.