Why in the state of Indiana cant Grandparents see their grand children ?

Question

I live in a small town in Indiana and my granddaughter's parents are not married and we the grandparents have no rights whats so ever. I am only allowed to see her(granddaughter) when she comes to our home and with her mother I am not allowed to hold her or even babysit her. If we are all in a family setting ex. wedding reception I am total ignored and given the death look if I go near her. We never did anything wrong and stuck up for this girl when she was pregnant , when her parents didnt. We defended her when ever anyone said something wrong about her. But now my granddaughter is going to be 1 yrs old and it breaks my heart so much that I know I can not be involved in her life. Why and what can i do ??

I have asked her she said its not us and i have talked to my son he said someone is gonna get hurt and its not gonna be him so guess who gets hurt ??

and our gov. only worries about indianapolis
work force and jobs in Indy doesnt care about the western side of the state.

I was told by my lawyer that about a year ago that grandparents rights in the state of Indiana have ceased. the only way I would be able to see the child is that if my son was deceased.

girlpower I am truely sorry for you ! but NOT all Grandparents are that way !

Answer 1

This doesn't sound like a state legal problem, it sounds more like an issue with the child's mother. Talk to her, or at least your son, about your feelings and concerns.

Answer 2

I also live in a small town in Indiana. I feel bad for you but you have to understand. I am glad that grandparents have no rights. My grandma and grandpa use to take me to my dealers house to buy pot when I was in high school. They also let all of my cousins and me drink whenever we wanted to. Know that I am older and a little wiser. I would never leave my children with them. I do not feel that any parent should be forced to let someone take thier child for a visit. I do take my children for visits though and b day parties and cookouts so I do include them in my childrens lives. It is when my children hit thier teen years that I will be very cautious... maybe just give her a little space and offer more support she will eventually come around...

Answer 3

You do have rights here is the leagal jargon. I would go to your lawyers office and have this printed out and tell him you demand to be able to see hand hold your granddaughter.

IC 31-17-5

Chapter 5. Grandparent's Visitation



IC 31-17-5-1

Sec. 1. (a) A child's grandparent may seek visitation rights if:

(1) the child's parent is deceased;

(2) the marriage of the child's parents has been dissolved in Indiana; or

(3) subject to subsection (b), the child was born out of wedlock.

(b) A court may not grant visitation rights to a paternal grandparent of a child who is born out of wedlock under subsection (a)(3) if the child's father has not established paternity in relation to the child.



IC 31-17-5-2

Sec. 2. (a) The court may grant visitation rights if the court determines that visitation rights are in the best interests of the child.

(b) In determining the best interests of the child under this section, the court may consider whether a grandparent has had or has attempted to have meaningful contact with the child.



IC 31-17-5-3

Sec. 3. A proceeding for grandparent's visitation must be commenced by the filing of a petition entitled, "In Re the visitation of _________". The petition must:

(1) be filed by a grandparent entitled to receive visitation rights under this chapter;

(2) be verified; and

(3) set forth the following:

(A) The names and relationship of:

(i) the petitioning grandparent or grandparents;

(ii) each child with whom visitation is sought; and

(iii) the custodial parent or guardian of each child.

(B) The present address of each person named in clause (A).

(C) The date of birth of each child with whom visitation is sought.

(D) The status under section 1 of this chapter upon which the grandparent seeks visitation.

(E) The relief sought.



IC 31-17-5-4

Sec. 4. A grandparent seeking visitation rights shall file a petition requesting reasonable visitation rights:

(1) in a circuit or superior court of the county in which the child resides in a case described in section 1(a)(1), 1(a)(3), or 10 of this chapter; or

(2) in the court having jurisdiction over the dissolution of the parents' marriage in a case described in section 1(a)(2) of this chapter.



IC 31-17-5-5

Sec. 5. Whenever a petition is filed, a copy of the petition, together with a copy of a summons, shall be served upon the custodial and noncustodial parent or guardian of each child with whom visitation is sought in the same manner as service of summons in civil actions generally.



IC 31-17-5-6

Sec. 6. Upon hearing evidence in support of and opposition to a petition filed under this chapter, the court shall enter a decree setting forth the court's findings and conclusions.



IC 31-17-5-7

Sec. 7. The court may modify an order granting or denying visitation rights whenever modification would serve the best interests of the child.



IC 31-17-5-8

Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a child born out of wedlock.

(b) Visitation rights provided for in section 1 or 10 of this chapter survive the establishment of paternity of a child by a court proceeding other than an adoption proceeding.



IC 31-17-5-9

Sec. 9. Visitation rights provided for in section 1 or 10 of this chapter survive the adoption of the child by any of the following:

(1) A stepparent.

(2) A person who is biologically related to the child as:

(A) a grandparent;

(B) a sibling;

(C) an aunt;

(D) an uncle;

(E) a niece; or

(F) a nephew.



IC 31-17-5-10

Sec. 10. If the marriage of the child's parents has been dissolved in another state, the child's maternal or paternal grandparent may seek visitation rights if:

(1) the custody decree entered in the action for dissolution of marriage does not bind the grandparent under IC 31-17-3-12; and

(2) an Indiana court would have jurisdiction under IC 31-17-3-3 or IC 31-17-3-14 to grant visitation rights to the grandparent in a modification decree.

Answer 4

Sounds as though there is some underlying untold motive...Have you asked her why your not able to visit or hold her?

Answer 5

write a letter to the governor?