Grandchildren & Grandparents
Grandparents can play an important part in the lives of children. Sometimes grandparents have limited or no contact with their grandchildren because of a family conflict, sometimes arising out of a divorce or separation of the parents.
Where there is difficulty between the parents the conflict can sometimes spill over into other relationships, for example, the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.
Sometimes the children reside with the grandparents and have done so for various reasons but the parents wish to maintain a relationship with their children and need to come to an arrangement with the grandparents who may be the main carers.
Sometimes a family conflict can be quite difficult and Family Mediation can be a way forward to resolving the family dispute in order to focus on what is best for their child. It is usually a positive thing for grandchildren to have a positive relationship with their grandparents.
Grandparents have no automatic right to be part of their grandchild’s life and if they have exhausted all avenues and wish to make an application to the court, then first the court would have to give permission to make an application. Court proceedings should be a last resort and Mediation is often a far better process to try and resolve this issue where you can make your own decisions in a safe and more relaxed environment.