Legal Rights in Limiting Visitation by a STEP-Grandparent?

Question

As a parent, what are the legal rights in LIMITING/TERMINATING VISTATION RIGHTS by a STEP-Grandparent??

We have a case where the recently married maternal STEP-Grandparent is a MEDDLER, trying to negatively interfere in our family's life.

He is only related to us by Marriage, not Blood.

The Maternal Grandmother is ok, if neurotic and bearable. She submits to her new husband's domination, and expects us to do the same.

The Maternal Grandfather is perfectly fine, has a large supportive extended family, and is genuinely supportive of our family. He does not get along with the Step-Grandfather either, naturally.

Our issue is with the recently married Step-Grandfather, and how can we legally remove him from visiting/influencing our children?

We have no probs with the Grandmother visiting, just want her to do so with out her newly married husband, who is no blood relation to either family.

Thank you.

Answer 1

In my State ... the step-GrandFather has NO legal rights.

All you have to do is .. say no.

Be up-front. Say there are problems .. so visiting & influencing is stopped immediately.

Even in the Courts - the best welfare of the child is the concern ... and that is what is expected of the parents - which is to procect and guide their children.

If you don't want to be verbally up-front with the step grandfather .. then always make your children unavailable. Don't take his calls ... if he comes - have your children too busy to be interrupted. Maybe he will take the hint.

If he comes with the grandmother ... then a private talk may be needed with the grandmother - informing her of your problems with her husband. Tell her you are worried about your kids - and you have to do what is best for your kids.

When a person dominates like the step grandfather is doing .. you have to stand firm and just not let him do the things which he initiates .. just dont let him lead or have his way ... and ... be up-front about things which simpley are not his business. You may need to get plain-spoken - and let them know withouut a doubt how you feel .. and that the meddling will stop in your business .. and with your children. Sometimes - that is how you have to handle meddling & domineering people.

Answer 2

You don't have to do anything legally - you are the parents, and you have absolute control over who spends time with your kids.

The only time this might be a problem is in the case of a divorce. If one parent allows visitation with the maternal grandmother and step grandfather while they have physical custody of the child (either shared custody or visitation), then there is generally nothing the other parent can do to prevent it, unless you can prove that the step-grandfather is a threat to the child. Having religious beliefs that you do not agree with does not constitute a threat that would allow you to deny visitation over the wishes of the other parent.

But if you are married, then it is up to you to grow a backbone and decide whether or not you will allow this man to spend time with your children. The police and the courts will not even get involved unless the grandparents try to sue for visitation. In that case, the grandparents will lose - the Supreme Court has already ruled on that issue.

Answer 3

Grandparents and step-Grandparents have no legal rights to a child. They can sue for visitation but because there are no laws on the books concerning grandparents, they don't always win, let alone get into court.

If you are the parent of the child, you have the right to limit or outright avoid contact with people you believe are harmful/toxic to you and your family, regardless or in spite of their relationship to you. Make sure that you are clear to the grandmother that she is welcome in your home and can visit the children. Make it clear WHY you don't want them to have contact with the step-granddad. You can't force him out of his house, but you can say your children won't be spending the night at grandma's and she won't have unsupervised visitation with the children if he is going to be around.

If this is *not* a situation where you are jealous because your mother has a new partner and the man *is* really toxic, then my next concern is for grandma--is she involved with an abuser who is in the process of isolating her from her support system?

Continue checking in with her and arranging dates for her to visit the grand-kids, but also be prepared for her to choose her husband over the kids, especially if she has a fear of being alone (as in without a partner, not without family).

Answer 4

I don't think any grandparents, biological or otherwise, have rights in visitation. Most often, unless the parents are proven unfit granting the grandparents custody, visitation for a grandchild is left completely up to the parents.

Answer 5

1) Tell the step-grandparent (with the wife there) that they are welcome to their own opinion on how to do things, but that they need to keep that to themselves.
2) If said step-grandparent refuses to stop meddling, then have a heart to heart talk with the grandmother. Before you do this, ask yourself if you are willing to cut out the relationship with the grandmother b/c the step is being a (*&)(*&.
3) If there is no change, cut them out, but before you do, be sure to let the rest of the extended family know what is going on so you don't alienate the rest of them.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Have a nice talk with the Grandmother and explain to her your feelings toward her newly acquired husband ;)

Ask her if she could have a heart2heart talk with him, and Only Then, when he promises to behave himself, are they welcome in your house.

If Step-Grandpa finds that difficult, you have no choice but to terminate any future visitations from them.

I'm sure Grandma will be able to talk some sense into him.

Answer 7

Grandparents don't have any rights to your children.

Answer 8

GRANDPARENTS CANNOT GET ANY PLAY AS FAR AS VISITATION...THEY CAN ASK...BUT IT IS UP TO THE PARENTS

Answer 9

do what is right