What Say do Grandparents and Others Have in Child Custody?

State laws provide grandparents with rights to visit their grandchildren. Rather than relying on legal status, though, it’s best for both parties to consider the children’s grandparents, extended family members (aunts, uncles, cousins), and other important adults, when creating their parenting plan. The plan might provide for children to periodically visit distant grandparents, or for the grandparents to see the children when they are in town. The opportunity for a child to have a relationship with a loving adult from another generation can be invaluable. Similarly, visits with cousins can build life-long relationships of which children of divorce should not be deprived.