Does a grandparent have the right to have a say in the grandchild’s medical care?
In Washington, the answer to this question is yes and no. Yes, in certain circumstances, a grandparent may have the right to have a say in the grandchild’s medical care. This is because of the Washington Grandparents Rights Law. Under this law, a grandparent can petition for visitation rights with their grandchild if it is “in the best interests of the child”. This includes the right to be consulted about the grandchild’s medical care. However, this is not an absolute right. The court will look at various factors when making a decision on visitation rights, including the grandparent’s relationship with the grandchild, the mental and physical health of the grandparent, and the wishes of the grandchild’s parent. If the court finds that it is not in the best interests of the grandchild for the grandparent to have visitation rights, or to be consulted about the grandchild’s medical care, then the grandparent will not have this right. In short, while a grandparent may have some say in the grandchild’s medical care in Washington, the court can still deny this right if it finds that it is not in the best interests of the grandchild for the grandparent to be involved.
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