As a grandparent, you are in love with your grandchildren. The relationship you enjoy with them is particularly special because you get to completely enjoy your grandchildren in a carefree way that you didn’t get to experience when you were raising your own kids — and this is one of the most important benefits of being a grandparent.
The love between grandparent and grandchild is about as unconditional as it can get, so it’s painful when grandparents are denied access to their grandkids. Since this kind of situation can be emotionally difficult for both the grandparent and the grandchild — and even interfere negatively with the grandchild’s development — Maryland courts may award a grandparent visitation rights in certain circumstances
The law in Maryland is not exactly direct as it applies to grandparental visitation rights. However, if a grandparent can prove that visits with a grandchild are in the best interests of the grandchild, then the Maryland court will approve. Courts will consider the same primary factors it considers in any child visitation case. If a compelling enough reason exists, the grandparents will likely receive the visitation rights they so desperately desire. The only exception — when grandparents will be barred from requesting visitation — is if the child has been adopted.
Do you want to visit with your grandchild, but you’re being denied access to him or her? You may be able to apply for visitation rights in court. An experienced Maryland family law attorney can assist you in evaluating your legal rights and options in this regard.