Do Grandparents have rights to visit?

By Belli, Weil & Grozbean, P.C.

Our family law section is headed by STUART H. GROZBEAN. Mr. Grozbean was named to "Who's Who" in 1998, 1999, 2000. He is now a life member of "Who's Who", a prestigious national recognition of outstanding professionals in the United States. He is also the developer of the child support guidelines program in Maryland. His program is widely used by Judges, Masters and Lawyers in  Maryland. Mr. Grozbean has been quoted in the Washington Post, USA Today and  on the various television and news channels.

Grandparent rights are governed by § 9-102. of the Maryland Statutes:

   An equity court may:

   (1) consider a petition for reasonable visitation of a grandchild by a grandparent; and

   (2) if the court finds it to be in the best interests of the child, grant visitation rights to the grandparent.

Maryland Courts can and do order visitation to grandparents provided that the Court determines that such visitation is in the best interest of the children. The Court will look at various factors such as:

1. Is it in the best interest of the child.

2. What is the current and past relationship of the child with the grandparents.

3. What impact (positive or negative) will the visitation have on the child.

4. Will the visitation impact upon the educational and/or physical activities of the child.

5.     To determine what is in the child’s best interest, the Court will consider various factors, including the nature of the child’s relationship with the parents and grandparents, the potential benefits and detriments to granting visitation, the effect grandparent visitation would have on the child’s attachment to the family, the physical and emotional health of the parties, and the stability of the living and schooling arrangements for the child.

     These are some of the factors used in determining visitation. Always check with an attorney about your specific fact situation.

Divorce Financial Worksheet and Child Calculator as used by Courts in Maryland. This is the actual Program used by Judges and Masters.

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Information provided by: Belli, Weil & Grozbean, P.C.