grandparent rights
grandparent rights. A grandfather’s or grandmother’s rights in seeking visitation with a grandchild. • By statute in most states, in certain circumstances a grandparent may seek court-ordered visitation with a grandchild. Typically these circumstances include the death of the grandparents’ child (the child’s parent) and the divorce of the child’s parents. But the United States Supreme Court has held that the primary, constitutionally protected right of deci-sion-making regarding association with a child lies with the child’s parents. As a general rule, if the parent is a fit and proper guardian and objects to visitation, the parent’s will prevails. Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 120 S.Ct. 2054 (2000).
