The law does not specify how often grandparents can see their grandchildren in Tulsa, Oklahoma. You should decide how often you want to see your grandchildren depending on what serves their best interests. A court also considers the child’s best interests when determining if to grant or deny grandparents visitation rights.
How to Build a Good Case Before You Need to
If you would like the law to be on your side and order grandparents’ visitation rights should a case ever arise, establish strong relationships with your grandchildren. Visit with them often. For instance, if you live down the street from them, offer free babysitting services and bond with the kids when they are younger.
Call often and be their friends or follow them on social media when they are older. Grandma and Grandpa might do a better job monitoring behavior on social media, as they are less likely to get blocked than Mom and Dad and are less busy.
It is also all right for grandparents to join the family of their grandchildren on vacations when possible.
If your grandchildren live far away, it is a good idea to call often and invite them over for a weekend or holiday.
As any reputable Tulsa grandparents’ rights attorney would tell you, you have a chance to get court-ordered grandparents’ visitation rights if you can prove that you have a healthy, ongoing relationship with your grandchildren; consequently, it would harm the child if the relationship ended.
Relationships with grandchildren benefit the health and enjoyment of the life of both grandparents and children. Studies have revealed that when such a healthy relationship exists, grandchildren reap benefits such as reduced incidences of depression well into their adulthood. Grandparents also enjoy lower rates of depression and higher rates of longevity.
When Grandparents or Grandchild are in Poor Health
Nearly all grandparents want the best for their grandchildren and desire to be in happy, fulfilling relationships with them. Grandparents are great people to share family history and memories of the past with grandchildren. However, sometimes a grandparent’s health does not allow them to spend quality time with their grandchildren.
For instance, if a grandparent is bedridden or has been moved to a nursing home, it might not be possible to establish strong relationships with their grandchildren. Such a grandparent may not be able to play with their grandchildren, take them to the park, or read them bedtime stories.
However, if the grandparent can continue contact through telephone or social media even as they battle their ill health, it is advisable to do so if it benefits the grandchild. Even a sickly grandparent can inform other close relatives if the grandchildren’s family has been disrupted and the child requires attention from a responsible third party.
On the other hand, it could be the child who has a medical condition that makes them require more care or constant medical attention. If the grandparents are in good health, they can step in and provide the extra care such a child needs.
If the grandchild’s family lives far from the grandparents, the sick grandchild can move in with Grandma and Grandpa. This would allow Mom and Dad to continue to work outside of the home and care for their other children.
When Grandparents Should Go To Court
There are unfortunate scenarios when it’s in the child’s best interests for grandparents to stay away. Perhaps your child and their spouse are in a stable relationship, but for some reason do not want you to visit their kids.
If you have no way of resolving such a situation without involving a court, it is better to stay away. A court battle may not be a good idea, as you will lose.
A trial in which you are likely to lose causes unnecessary pain to all involved parties, particularly the kids. Thus, this is not in their best interests. A grandparent should always uphold the interests of their grandkids above their own.
A caring grandparent should involve themselves and seek court-ordered grandparents’ visitation rights when the grandchild is in what is described as a disrupted family. One or both of the grandchild’s parents could also be unfit.
Parental unfitness in this scenario refers to one who has ongoing drug abuse issues, a history of domestic abuse, or other serious problems. The court would look at your case favorably in such circumstances, particularly if you have taken the time to build a robust relationship with your grandchild.
You would also be the court’s first choice if your grandchild was ever up for adoption.
Consultation with a Tulsa Grandparents’ Visitation Rights Attorney
Are you battling issues related to grandparents’ visitation rights? Get the help you need today. Talk to a grandparents’ visitation rights lawyer in Tulsa who is knowledgeable and skilled and has handled many cases like yours.
For a confidential, no-obligation consultation, call our lawyer at (918) 994-3323 or click here to set up a consultation using our online request form.