In certain limited circumstances, it may be possible for a child's grandparents to have legally recognized and protected visitation rights. As with parental visitation rights, in order to award a grandparent visitation rights, the Court must find that such rights are in the best interests of the children. Courts have wide discretion in determining whether formal, and protected grandparent visitation rights are in a child's best interests. Generally, the Court will look to the relationship between the children and the grandparents in making this determination. This option is not, however, available to the grandparents when the children still live with both parents.

Grandparents may also petition the Court for child custody, if there is evidence the custodial parent is unfit. The determination of whether a parent is unfit is left to the Court's discretion.

Because the facts in each and every case are different, you will need to consult an attorney regarding your situation. To learn and exercise your visitation rights as a grandparent, contact the Atlanta divorce attorneys of Meriwether & Tharp at (678) 879-9000 or email us at familylaw@mtlawoffice.com