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You can fight for grandparent visitation in Kentucky

On Behalf of | Jun 16, 2017 | Family Law |

Grandparents in Kentucky enjoy more liberal visitation rights than their counterparts in many other states. Kentucky alllows “reasonable visitation rights” to grandparents if the judge decides that it’s in the children’s best interests.

Kentucky even permits grandparents to petition the court for visitation when their grandchildren are living with both parents. Additionally, even if one or both parents’ rights get terminated, the grandparents may still retain their visitation rights under some circumstances.

In cases where a child’s parent has died, the parents of that adult deceased child may still be awarded liberal visitation rights if the grandparents pay child support for their grandchild.

How do grandparents exercise their rights?

When the grandchildren’s parents are divorced, grandparents need to file a petition for visitation of their grandchildren in the clerk of court in the county in which the divorce was filed. If the parents haven’t divorced, the petition must be filed in the same county where the grandchildren live.

If you are a grandparent who has been denied access to your own grandchildren, you have the right to fight for visitation. Be aware that the guiding principle of all family law court judges is what is in the children’s best interest, so be prepared for your family law attorney to introduce evidence of same.

Kentucky courts may also consider other factors when making a ruling on grandparent visitation. Many of those reflect upon the children’s existing relationship with their grandparents and whether the children want to continue to have visitation with them. Making sure that you are in a good place mentally and emotionally to visit with your grandchildren may bolster your case substantially.

Source: The Spruce, “Grandparents’ Rights in Kentucky,” Susan Adcox, accessed June 16, 2017