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). [Blacks Law 8th]