Grandparent rights after divorce is important to many of our clients – regardless of who has custody.  Georgia law encourages continuing contact with grandparents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child.   O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(d).  In most cases, it greatly benefits the children to have continuing contact and involvement with the grandparents on both sides of the family after divorce.

What if contact with one set of grandparents is not good for the child?  The Georgia Supreme Court upheld a judge’s ruling that prohibited the father from exercising his custodial rights in his parents’ (the paternal grandparents’) presence – there was evidence that the grandparents had been physically and emotionally abusvie of the children, and the father aknowledged that he had broken his promise to never leave his children alone with his parents.   In that case, the court made a specific order regarding the paternal grandparents to protect the children’s best interest, and it was upheld on appeal.  Mongerson v. Mongerson, 285 Ga. 554 (2009).

Grandparents are frequently very involved in their grandchildren’s lives.  If you want to discuss your rights as a grandparent – or your rights as a parent to restrict or promote grandparent involvement with your children - contact Hindson & Melton LLC.
Karen Hindson  - June 13, 2012