New York gives grandparents very little preference when it comes to what, if any, role they should play in the life of a child whose parents have chosen to limit access to them.
If both parents are considered fit to care for their children, then judges are typically reluctant to challenge decisions that rightly belong with the parents.
There are exceptions to this. In cases where a custodial parent can be demonstrated to be unfit and the second parent is not available, it may be possible to argue for custody or visitation by interested relatives.
Where the adult child of the grandparents in question has died, it is often possible to ask the court for help in maintaining the relationship between the deceased spouse’s parents and their minor grandchildren.
Call the lawyers at Friedman & Ranzenhofer today at 585-484-7432 for a legal consultation with an experienced Rochester grandparents’ rights and child custody attorney.