What do grandparents need to do to prove their relationship with a grandchild?

In Maryland, grandparents may have rights to visit or have partial custody of a grandchild, and even in some situations the right to adopt. To prove their relationship with a grandchild, grandparents must provide evidence to the court that they have met with the grandchild, that they have a significant relationship with them, and that it is in the best interest of the child that they be granted visitation rights. One way that grandparents can prove these things is by providing evidence of phone conversations, letters, emails, or other written communication between them and the grandchild or the grandchild’s parents. This could include evidence of the number of times they have visited the grandchild, how often they have paid for the grandchild’s activities such as birthday parties, and any significant gifts or financial assistance they have provided. Grandparents can also provide evidence of the benefits the grandchild has received from their relationship, such as how they have provided support during difficult times, nurtured their grandchild’s education or participated in extracurricular activities. It is also important for grandparents to provide affidavits from interested third parties, such as teachers, neighbors, and family members, that support their relationship with the grandchild and state their opinions on why visitation rights should be granted. Ultimately, it is up to the court to decide whether grandparent visitation rights are in the best interest of the grandchild in light of the evidence presented by the grandparents.

Related FAQs

Is there a legal way to have a grandparent named as a beneficiary on an insurance policy?
Do grandparents have the same rights as parents when it comes to making medical decisions for their grandchild?
Is there a time limit on how long a grandparent can have visitation with a grandchild?
Are grandparents allowed to file for temporary guardianship of their grandchildren in certain cases?
Are grandparents’ rights affected by state laws?
Is a grandparent required to pay child support if they get custody of a grandchild?
Are grandparents allowed to be appointed as legal guardians for their grandchild?
Are grandparents’ rights affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Troxel v. Granville?
What are the benefits of grandparents having visitation rights?
How do I establish a grandparent’s rights to visitation or custody?

What do grandparents need to do to prove their relationship with a grandchild?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts