Alabama Grandparent's Visitation Rights
Grandparents have the right to visit their grandchildren in Alabama. Any grandparent may file an action to enforce their grandparents visitation rights if the grandparents visitation is in the best interest of the child and one of the following conditions are met:
- One or both parents of the grandchild have died
- The parents of the grandchild have divorced
- A parent of the grandchild has abandoned the child
- The grandchild was born outside a marriage
- If the parents of the grandchild are still married and living together but one or both of the parents are using their authority to prevent a grandparents relationship with their grandchild.
The courts will look to see if a grandparents visitation is in best interest of the child. When determining if a grandparents visitation rights are within the best interest of a child, the courts will look to the following factors for guidance:
- The grandparents willingness to cultivate a relationship with the child and his parents
- The grandchild's preference
- The health of the grandchild
- The mental and physical health of the grandparents
- Any evidence of domestic violence between one parent and another parent, parent and child, or between parent and grandparent
- Any other relevant factors, including the preferences of any living parent
I was looking into the visitation rights of grandparents rights, my son and his wife are fighting for our grandchild, he was in a motorcycle accident, left him that he needs help when the child is with him, he lives right in front of us and she had made a comment at christmas that if he couldn't take care of him or he wasn't here and went to see his dad in tenn. that we didn't have the right to see him or have him even though we raised him his first 13 months while she slept or ran around sometimes we had him for 2 weeks she wouldn't come over to see how he was, but our son after he got off work would come and take him out there to bring him back cause she didn't feel good, or he had to get sleep to get up, then when she pooped him one night they was at his weekend job, with a bottle she shows up to say give me my son and I didn't know what had happened, but I had called the law and I had to give him to her to find out later what all had happened, myson had to have stitches all over his face and then he filed for a divorce so that was in Oct. since we have been putting up with the devil with her since my son had the wreck and until the divorce case comes up in Jan. 28th. my grandson is 16 months old. Please give me some advice that be can get him for visitation the child thinks of me as the mom cause she didn't get the mother bond she said she didn't want him around me for he calls me mom. I tell him I'm mea mow, but help us please. I'm a lay minister, I do jail and other ministries.
Thanks,
Pebble Simmons
My son and daughter-in-law live together but not married. She has decided over a month ago that I have hurt her feelings many times and owe her an apology, which I did, but she wouldn't accept. So she decided that I cannot see the grandchildren any longer. I have kept them almost every weekend since they were about 2 weeks old. They even spend week on end with me when not in school. The 8 year old girl is very attached to me and I heard just yesterday she was crying because she couldn't talk to me on the phone. I am not sure what I can do. If anyone can advise me I would be very thankful.
Brenda
I have had problems with my in-laws ever since I said "I do" to their son. My mother-in-law has reminded me over and over that if I ever take her grandson away, that she will grandparents rights, and take him. My son is almost 4, and I am a great mother. I have stayed at home with him since he was born while my husband works. I teach him manners, respect. My in-laws are back wooded people, and constantly cuss and use racial slurs in front of my son even though I continually remind them not to, but when I do, they start cussing me out. I am in a bad situation, because I live right up the street from my in-laws and they constantly try to control our lives. My mother-in-law drinks every single day, and puts on a front in front of her friends, and acts like she always wants to see her grandchild. But in reality, when we ask her to watch him, she gets mad, and says we use her, and tells us "no!" She does get to see my son often, we try to be civil with one another, and my son does love her, but I don't want my son growing up around them cussing, and using bad language like they do. We are currently trying to find a new place to live, and when we do, I feel it will be like war with my in-laws. Please help with any advice. Can my mother-in-law really get grandparents rights like she says even with the way she acts. I am only looking out for the best interest of my child. Thanks.
Kim
Pebble,
It seams that us as Granparents are loosing our place in our Grand Childeren life, we all need to band to -gether and get some laws changed in Alabama.