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Beyond Grandparents Day, the Legal Battle for Grandparent Rights Continues
Filed under: Divorce & Custody, Relatives, In The News, Family Time
Grandparents Day is supposed to be joyous, yet some are locked in visitation battles that last for years. Credit: jupiterimages
Richard Victor was three years out of law school when he heard a story about a grandmother being denied visits with her grandchildren after her daughter died of cancer. It was the 1970s and the young lawyer couldn't help but think about how one day his own family, or any other, for that matter, could be affected by a similar fate.
Victor decided to represent the grandmother, and in 1978 got Michigan law changed to create rights for grandparents, unexpectedly becoming a leader in the movement. Today, he runs the non-profit Grandparents Rights Organization.
On Sun., Sept. 12 the country will celebrate Grandparents Day and honor the people whose love and dedication to children is often taken for granted. Some grandparents will receive cards, others will enjoy a visit with their grandchildren and some might receive a gift.
But Grandparents Day is not always a happy occasion and can go unmarked for those who are fighting for the right to be a part of their grandchildren's lives. Several decades of changing social norms that affect family structures -- including divorce and out-of-wedlock children -- have created a nationwide movement to secure grandparents the right to see their grandchildren.
State-by-State Rulings on Grandparent Rights
Editor's Note: This series was originally published on Sept. 11, 2009.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-14-2009 @ 2:00PM
Danielle said...Since my husband's death almost 4 years ago, his step-father has only seen my daughter twice. I wish it were more often, because I feel that family is important. It is almost like since my husband's death, my daughter and I are now non-persons. She doesn't receive cards for her birthday or Christmas, but we are certain to send them out. I think there should be a law that grants the grand children the right to be involved in their own grandparent's lives.
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9-12-2010 @ 9:19PM
connie wood said...i wish i could see my 3 grandsons it has been 21 months since i last saw mine miss them every day took the father to court that was a big joke if he says no it NO i tried the best i could someday they will know it was not me who stopped me from seeing them it was there father( i am sure that is not what the father is telling them i am sure it is all my fault)love and miss them every day :(:(
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9-13-2010 @ 7:38AM
Out side looking in said...My child is alive and I am not allowed to visit my grandchild. I have never even held him. I did get to touch his feet when he was in the neo natal unit in the hospital. But the next day I was escorted out of the hospital by security because the mother was arriving to the hospital from where she gave birth.
My other children and their father get invited to events most recently the baby's baptism. They actually sent an invitation to the house and just had it addressed to the grandfather for the baptism. Than to add more insult they sent a thank you care address to the whole family.
My crime, I am gay and the father of my children are finishing raising our last child in an intact household. So my punishment is no contact with my grandchild. Funny how grown children believe in using their own children as weapons.
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12-14-2010 @ 8:59AM
heartbroken grandparents said...We were lucky enough to spend a great deal of our first grandson's life ( 9 years) before moving to Florida.His parents were never married. We sent him to parochial school for 8 years. We were never denied time with him. A year ago , he was told by a jugde that he no longer had to visit his Dad ,if he didn't want to (15 years ) old. And also he asked if we could pay to send him to parochial high school, and we told him we could no longer afford to since we have retired, he doesn't speak to myself or my husband. I have tried writing, email and was calling til our #'s have not been accepted by his cell phone. we have sent gifts for Christmas and birthdays . Will never understand, can't imagine the heartbreak .. Pleas let me add that his mother is the meanest person you would never care to meet. We had to put up with her for 15 years ..Any comments would be greatly appreciated
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11-30-2010 @ 5:46PM
heartbroken grandparents said...Can I please have my story deletedfrom 11/30/2010
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