Q: I am a paternal grandmother who has helped raise my almost 5 year grandson. Can I get visitation. We are Super close.
The biological parents never married and my son doesnt help take care of child so I have been in his place. Mother now took child rom me. I want visitation. Can I get it. My grandson sees me at least half the month and is extremely bonded to me. I have cared for him since birth. Mother recently married.
A:
Family Court Act §651(b) has a procedure for grandparents to obtain an order of visitation first by proving exigency, and then proving best interests. That takes two hearings and really requires the help of an attorney.
The general policy throughout these United States is to limit child rearing to parents. There is no recognition of extended family but an opening has been enacted to allow grandparents to petition for visits. Government has it that it is the better parent for kids, and that may be the reason we are failing as a family-based nation.
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