| When a marriage falls apart and children are sent to | | | | want custody of their grandchildren, they only want |
| stay with one of the parents, the parents of the | | | | visitation rights. They want to be assured that they |
| other parent have reason to be concerned. What | | | | will still be involved in the lives of their grandchildren |
| happens to their rights and their interest in not losing | | | | post the divorce. Unfortunately, there are no laws |
| contact with their grandchildren? They worry that | | | | that support visitation rights and grandchildren. The |
| they may never see their grandchildren again. Hence, | | | | only recourse for them would be to take a neutral |
| it has been observed that some grandparents would | | | | stand and stay friends with the other side as well. |
| appreciate visitation rights too. Below is some | | | | Support their child, but don't alienate the other. They |
| information about child custody and grandparents. | | | | can offer to babysit whenever needed and that way |
| Child custody can be fought for by grandparents, if | | | | enjoy time with their grandchildren. Almost like |
| they can prove that it is in the best interest of their | | | | backdoor entry to 'child custody and grandparents'. |
| grandchildren. The legal system would prefer to grant | | | | Parents of warring couples don't necessarily need to |
| custody to either parent or both parents jointly. | | | | take sides. Certainly they should be there for their |
| However, if parents are abusive and/or have | | | | child, but they shouldn't unnecessarily antagonize the |
| neglected and abandoned their children, grandparents | | | | other party either. In fact, depending on the |
| can fight for custody. Courts will take a lenient view | | | | circumstances they could even be kind to the other |
| towards child custody and grandparents, if the | | | | side, especially if the relations were cordial during the |
| grandparents are the main providers and the children | | | | marriage. Most people would appreciate help and |
| have lived with them largely. | | | | support from the other side. This would even |
| The other option grandparents have is guardianship | | | | encourage them to keep in touch in future, thereby |
| of grandchildren. This means that the grandparents | | | | ensuring that grandparents get to spend quality time |
| are legally responsible for the grandchildren. | | | | with their grandchildren in times to come. Another |
| Grandparents get to play the role of parents without | | | | indirect way of child custody and grandparents; being |
| getting embroiled in long drawn out custody battles. | | | | made to happen outside of the legal system. |
| They can choose which schools to send the children | | | | If grandparents express their heartfelt desire to |
| to and make decisions regarding their medical affairs. | | | | continue to maintain contact with their grandchildren, |
| Guardianship offers a way out for child custody and | | | | in all likelihood their children will respond |
| grandparents. Grandchildren may or may not stay | | | | sympathetically. They will probably work out an |
| with the grandparents, but the grandparents do have | | | | amicable arrangement wherein there are regular visits |
| a prominent say in the lives of their grandchildren. | | | | and grandchildren don't forget their grandparents and |
| On the other hand, there are grandparents who don't | | | | vice-versa. |