Fish in the Deep Blue Sky

Anyone May Need Grandparents' Rights

A bitter divorce, substance abuse, a sudden death, or any number of circumstances can put you, as a grandparent, at risk for losing touch with a grandchild. It is important to understand the complexity of the laws before you need to use them. When the unexpected occurs, you might react in the heat of the moment in ways that you will later regret. By reading this book, hopefully, you will be prepared to handle unfortunate circumstances in such a way that will not jeopardize your right to be a part of your grandchild's life.

In the previous chapters I have included stories of grandparents who fought for visitation with grandchildren in a variety of circumstances. The stories show how, through perseverance, many grandparents have prevailed. You may recognize situations with which your own children, your grandchildren, other family members, friends or neighbors are grappling.

You may have thought that such heartaches do not affect people who own their own home, have a job, are educated, and are well thought of in their community. You may have thought that such distress is reserved for people who are somehow at fault for their misfortunes. You are wrong. Everyone is at risk.