Grandparent Visitation Rights

Abstract

The author examined 65 cases in which grandparents successfully acquired court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren to understand how courts shape family development and how social scientists might support families who are engaged in legal disputes. Using grounded theory methods, two categories explained grandparents’ success at acquiring court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren: (a) serving the best interests of the child and (b) reflecting a slight shift in family law traditions. The second category, a shift in family law traditions, was made clear by these themes: (a) derivatives of rights, (b) intruding on the parental rights of adoptive parents,(c) balancing the rights of parents, children, and grandparents. Conclusions and suggestions for the role of social science professionals are offered that address the complexities of family law, grandparent visitation rights, and contemporary family issues