How is the court likely to consider a grandparent’s request for visitation?
In Washington, the court typically considers a grandparent’s request for visitation under the Grandparents Rights Law carefully. The court will take into account the relationship between the grandparent and the child, the degree to which the visitation is likely to impact the child’s wellbeing, and the potential disruption to the family’s lifestyle and dynamics. The court asks if the grandparent’s request is in the best interests of the child and if it’s practical and necessary to grant the grandparent visitation. The court will also look into the prior relationship between the grandparent and the child. If the grandparent has had a long-term and deep relationship with the child and the child’s parents, the court can be much more likely to grant visitation rights. However, if the grandparent and the child have never had an existing relationship or there has been a lengthy period of time without contact, the court is much less likely to grant visitation. The court also takes into account any potential harm to the child or disruption to the family that may result from visitation by the grandparent. In certain cases, the court may consider testimony from professionals such as school counselors or doctors to determine if visitation would be beneficial or not. Overall, the court considers all of these factors when making their decision, and each case is judged on its individual merit. Despite the criteria that the court uses, it is important to note that each case is different and the decision made by the court should not be assumed.
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