I live in New Jersey and recently my girlfriend and her ex's family have come to complete blows with them chastizing her for leaving their drug addict of a son. She was just wondering if the grand parents have any sort of rights in this state because I have heard conflicting stories from people around my job.

P.S. I would rather not hear about how my girlfriend should allow them to see the grand parents, the whole situation is not healthy for the children at all. The constant name calling and saying she is a horrible mother would not be a great environment for them which is what she has decided.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Romefalls19

I live in New Jersey and recently my girlfriend and her ex's family have come to complete blows with them chastizing her for leaving their drug addict of a son. She was just wondering if the grand parents have any sort of rights in this state because I have heard conflicting stories from people around my job.

P.S. I would rather not hear about how my girlfriend should allow them to see the grand parents, the whole situation is not healthy for the children at all. The constant name calling and saying she is a horrible mother would not be a great environment for them which is what she has decided.

---

New Jersey law:

"New Jersey's Grandparents' Visitation Statute, N.J.S.A. 9:2-7.1 allows a grandparent or sibling of a child residing in this State to make an application for visitation. The applicant must prove that the visitation is in the best interest of the child. In making this determination, the court must consider eight factors, including:

The relationship between the child and the applicant;
The relationship between each of the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing and the applicant;
The time which has elapsed since the child last had contact with the applicant;
The effect that such visitation will have on the relationship between the child and the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing;
If the parents are divorced or separated, the time sharing arrangement which exists between the parents with regard to the child;
The good faith of the applicant in filing the application
Any history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect by the applicant; and
Any other factor relevant to the best interests of the child. "

Thanks Judy, one more thing.. We are currently awaiting a police order for a cease of contact because of threatening text messages from members of the family. I believe that would play a huge factor, don't you think? We are saving EVERYTHING including, texts and voicemails from members of that family.

Thank you for the reply:-D

If you get a restraining order, that would kind of slam the door on visitation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Romefalls19

Thanks Judy, one more thing..We are currently awaiting a police order for a cease of contact because of threatening text messages from members of the family. I believe that would play a huge factor, don't you think? We are saving EVERYTHING including, texts and voicemails from members of that family.

Thank you for the reply:-D

---

I would think it depends on whether the Grandparents are sending the threatening messages or if you can prove they are influencing people to send threatening messages.

I don't know know if you can hold the Grandparents responsible for the behavior of the rest of the family.

And supervised visitation with the Grandparents (if visitation is awarded) may be the way to go.


EDIT: Whoops! Just realized I got a PM from OP asking me not to answer any of his questions. Count me out of this one.