Divorce Law

Virginia Grandparent Rights

If you do decide to alienate the grandparents from the grandchildren in Virginia, the grandparents may take you to court to try and force grandparent visitation. If there's a reason why your child shouldn't visit with a grandparent, by all means raise the issue in court. But make sure the reason is one affecting your child's life and not your own needs, pride, or anger.

If there's no valid reason why a Virginia court would protect the children from the grandparents, (such as previous abuse, history of drug or alcohol problems, or unsavory lifestyles) the grandparents may receive some form of visitation. This is especially true if a prior healthy relationship existed between the grandparents and your children. So if you have to appear in a Virginia court, it's best to arrive with a proposed grandparent visitation schedule in hand. It's better to have your own wishes enforced than have a Virginia judge call the shots and set the schedule.

So what's reasonable? Offering between one and three afternoons a month, for a few hours at a time is usually sufficient. This could be for lunch and a movie or a play session at the local park. If you and your child don't know the grandparents very well, you can ask the Virginia court to allow grandparent visitation to occur in your presence. If the grandparents live in another state, grandparent visitation over an entire weekend may be considered. However, if the bond between the children and their grandparents is exceptionally strong and healthy - there is no reason to be stingy regarding extra visitation times or dates.

If you are facing a situation where the grandparents wish to take custody of the grandchild in Virginia or you are a grandparents who wishes to have custody of the grandchild do not hesitate to contact the SRIS, P.C. Virginia grandparents rights attorneys.  Our family law attorneys regularly assist both parents and grandparents in Virginia with grandparents custody, grandparents visitation & grandparents rights issues in Virginia.