Yes, under certain circumstances, grandparents can petition the court for visitation rights if it is in the best interests of the child. These types of cases are highly emotionally charged and/or confrontational and a very expensive and difficult road to travel for grandparents, given the statutory law applicable to grandparent visitation.

Custody refers to the legal and physical responsibility for a child, while visitation specifically refers to the non-custodial parent’s allocated custodia visitation (parenting) time to be with the child.

Visitation, also known as “parenting time” or “custodial time-share,” refers to the noncustodial parent’s right to spend custodial time with their child(ren) following a separation or divorce.