legal rights to see my niece?

Question

Do I have legal rights to see my niiece? My brother and his ex are having major issues. But I want to know is there any way that we aunts and uncles still see the baby even if the ex doesn't want us to? She has major issues now with her new man. And we have tried several times to help her but for some reason she doesn't want us around. We didn't do any thing to her. We have actually tried to help her. Now she is talking trash that we have abandoned the baby and don't do any thing for her. So why should she let us see her. I haven't heard this myself but this is what I am hearing around family members. Her and my brother aren't thinking of the baby . They are doing things to hurt one another. And the baby is just the weapon that she will use against him. And towards us. The family. What are my rights as an aunt so we can still be a part of the childs life?????

Answer 1

Aw, that just makes me sad. She really needs to grow up and think about her child... not herself. She seems spiteful and revengeful. As far as your rights I don't believe there's anything you can do legally. According to Dr. Phil this grandma on there had no legal rights to see her grandchildren. SO sad. If in fact you have no legal right to see your niece I would really try to suck it up and be extremely nice to her just so that you're able to see the baby. Offer babysitting, tell her that you picked up some gifts for her and would like to give them to her... tell her that you just plain miss her with all your heart and that your whole family is just heartbroken that your brother and her couldn't work things out and that you miss HER, AND the niece. Tell her how important it is for children to have an extended family that is involved in their lives. It's too bad that there isn't really anything else you can do. Just try your best not to give up because once you give up it's going to be very hard not to say mean things to this woman... then you're never going to see this little girl - god forbid.

Answer 2

If I were you I'd literally discuss your concern about the child and this woman's issues with Children's Services Division. For all you know her new man might be an abusive person - therefore he is controlling her by not allowing you to see your niece. If you speak with them about your concerns - they'll go investigate and do a child welfare checkup for you. They'll get his name and run it through to see if he has any criminal background. If he does you should find out about taking her to court and filing for custody of the child yourself for the child's protection. If you agree to take the child and raise the child they usually have the child stay within the family. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents... Check with your state attorney generals office and see if you have or are entitled to the rights to see the baby. Some states have started granting them by law and through the courts.

If this isn't the case the best you could do is take her court and ask the judge for court ordered visitations.

Answer 3

Someone needs to sit them down and give them a good talking to! Using children as weapons is the worst kind of abuse but I'd be willing to bet they haven't thought of it from that angle. The child's relationship with others is really none of their business and every child deserves to have an extended family. You should tell them what they do and say to each other is up to them. But trying to limit the child's exposure to the family she knows is unfair and cruel. It's quite hard enough for a child to understand a split up without all familial ties being severed. They need SOME stability.

Answer 4

Based on the problems grandparents have, you don't have any rights unless you go to court and get the child taken away from them and possibly (only possibly) given to you.