How does a grandparent establish a legal relationship with a grandchild?

In South Carolina, grandparents are legally entitled to maintain a relationship with their grandchildren. To establish a legal relationship, grandparents must first file a petition at the family court in the jurisdiction where the grandchild is a resident. The family court will then consider the petition and determine whether the grandparent has a legitimate reason to oppose any restrictions placed on the grandparent’s visitation and communication rights. The court will also consider any objections raised by the grandchild’s parents or legal guardians. To support the petition, grandparents may be required to submit evidence of the importance of the relationship between the grandparent and grandchild, as well as evidence of any other factors that the court should consider. The court may also order an investigation of the family situation before deciding on the petition. If the court rules in favor of the grandparent, it will issue an order establishing the grandparent-grandchild relationship. This order may include provisions for visitation and communication rights, as well as any other terms that both parties agree to follow. Once the order is in effect, both the grandparent and grandchild must comply with its provisions.

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How does a grandparent establish a legal relationship with a grandchild?

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