Grandparents' rights concerning my children. My mother-in-law may be cut off?

Question

My mother-in-law is getting weirder as time goes by, my husband has talked about cutting her off if her behavior gets worse.

She has money, and will fight us in court to see our children if she is allowed to.

Has anyone had any problems like this?

I live in California and we are married so I think our decision (if we do this one day) should not be questioned in court.

She is being weird as in: lying about me, trying to get my husband to divorce me, saying my parents and minor brothers are horrible people, jealous my mother will see our babies more since she is our day care provider.

Trying to manipulate us by offering us money to do as she wants, arguing with us about the religion in our household, temper tantrums and dirty looks constantly. Screaming at my husband and calling him names when he refuses to do what she wants. Yelled at me when I told her she couldn't stop by without notice to visit my DOG.

We think she may have a personality disorder and she refuses to see a doctor or therapist.

Answer 1

Unfortunately their are laws for Grandparents rights !
I am sorry you are going through this, and hope things
turn out in the best intrests of the children. She needs
to stop and consider what it will do to them.

I found this web site it may help you:

http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/grandparents-visitation-rights.html

Good Luck

Answer 2

I just did some research on this and it seems that grandparents may have more rights than you might think. You should do some research on your part and perhaps get some legal advice from a lawyer before taking any actions or cutting her off. Make sure to know all of your options. Also, perhaps you should define what you mean by your mother-in-law acting "weirder" and what her behavior might mean.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Now a days grandparents have more rights then some parents do, if she did take you to court she would be granted visitation rights, there are many grandparents that can take full custody of children if they think that they are not being treated right by thier parents. ( this is if the parents are seperated) umm but if you think your mother in law is not fit to be near your children then if she did take you to court you would have to prove this to the judge

Answer 4

She has money, but the law is clear. I had the same issue with my son. I did not want my father having contact. The only way a grandparent has a case is if one of the bilogical parents backs her claim. Since you and your husband agree that contact she be terminated, the courts will have no choice in the matter.

Answer 5

The best thing for your kids and husband is to try and work things out so that it does not come to that. Having a very difficult mother-in -law, I do understand though. Check the laws in your state, she might have legal rights. I agree it should be your decision, but the law might not.

Answer 6

I don't know the laws in your country, check it out with the family courts...but where I live grand parents don't have rights. Being a grand mother myself, I make a point of getting along with my grandsons parents because I realise that at any time they could cut me out of his life if they so chose ....and let me tell you what a heartbreaking and most awful thing that would be....just think carefully for your childs sake as well as your own. If that happened to me it would be like part of me had died.

Answer 7

I'd get a free consult from a family law lawyer in CA, but parents have all the rights and responsibilities with children everywhere I know of. My wife and I found my mother's presence harmful and told her outright that we didn't need her or her money. If they want to fight, they will, and be nasty.

Answer 8

grandparents has rights if she is teaching the kids bad habit are telling them to disrespect the parents what could be so harsh that you would take the joy from her let her be the grand mother i am sure she did a fine job raising your husband only to find out one day with a wife help kick her to the side if she lose rights so should your parents be taken out the kids life fai r is fa i r to the kids no grandparents

Answer 9

I can't see that grandparents would have any legal rights to see the grandkids. In case she does, make sure you document any inappropriate behaviour, dates, times, places and what took place, what was said and who was present.

She may try to paint you as unfit parents as well so be prepared to defend yourselves and always act above reproach, especially in public with your children. No spanking or yelling, if possible.

Answer 10

I am fairly certain, even though I am not an expert, that grandparents have no rights unless the parents decide they do. Grandparents have no claim to the child unless possibly the parents are mistreating them. But in a case where you aren't mistreating your children, your mother in law can't see them if you say she can't.