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View Full Version : Can an AUNT get visitation?


DawnIN
May 27, 2008, 10:56 PM
Can an aunt get visitation when she is banned from seeing her niece and nephew? This has taken place by the mother of the children. The father of children is my brother!! Also, I live in Indiana, have been married for 20 years, have a 19 year old daughter and a 23 year old son.

starbuck8
May 27, 2008, 11:41 PM
I just thought I would comment on your question, because I have had to go through this. Although I don't know where you live, or what the situation is, your best bet is to appeal to the mother. I don't know about the specific laws, although there are Grandparents rights.

My brother was a dead beat Dad, (although he is waking up, and doing better now!) and I really wanted to have a relationship with my niece. Although I'm not particularly fond of my nieces mother, I appealed to her sensitive side, and also her greed. I didn't engage her in any arguments about my brother, and told her I only wanted the best for my niece. I killed her with kindness, even though I really had to bite my upper lip over and over.

I sent gifts, I sent weekly (sometimes daily) emails to inquire about my niece. I never let her mother think I wanted to be her friend. In fact I told her that this was a relationship strictly for my nieces benefit. I asked for pictures, and told her that I would love to meet them in a mutually agreeded on place. I told my nieces Mother how hard it must be on her, (still biting upper lip) and that I would be more than happy to take her anytime, to give her a break.

My niece is almost 2 now, and I can see her anytime I want. In fact her mother calls to ask me to do that now.

Again, you may have a totally different situation, and I don't know the actual laws where ever it is that you live, but I thought my experience might be of some help.

We have to work with what we've got right?

Good Luck! :)

ScottGem
May 28, 2008, 06:54 AM
I know of no state that provides statute or guidelines for allowing visitation for aunts, uncles or other than parents or grandparents.

So I would look at what starbuck said.

DawnIN
May 28, 2008, 04:43 PM
Thanks for the help :)

Fr_Chuck
May 28, 2008, 04:46 PM
I am sorry for your situation, but no, I know of no states where aunts can get any visiitation. Now of course if the father of the child is your brother, when he has the child for visits you should be able to visit.
The mother can not personally ban you, she can get a restraining order if there is a reason of course