Legal Question in Family Law in California
Sibling Visitation
I recently got custody of my 8 year old grandson. Mom and Step-dad didn't appear in court. Mom went to live in Michigan with boyfriend and step dad moved up north with girl friend and his biological daughter, my only granddaughter and my grandsons only sibling. We (my grandson and I) have been trying to stay in contact with his sister, but his step dad and girlfriend are screening his calls. My grandson misses his four year old sister and doesn't want to lose her from his life, nor do I, but we keep hitting this road block. Is there anything we can legally do. If he doesn't want me in my granddaughters life, I will accept it, however hard it will be, but my grandson loves his little sister and it breaks my heart to see him try time after time to get in touch with her to no avail. What can I do to help him. The seperation and divorce of my daughter and son-in-law was nasty, each having affairs and the babies got caught in the middle.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Sibling Visitation
Assuming these children are biologically related, there's probably some way to proceed in court under a "best interests of the child" theory. It will not be easy or cheap, and worse yet, it won't be easy to enforce assuming you DO get a court order.
My best suggestion is that you make, in writing (since they don't seem to return your phone calls), the same sort of impassioned plea that you made in the message you posted. Offer to let bygones be bygones, apologize for any perceived slights even if you don't think you're wrong, and "woo" him. If this is going to work, you'll need dad's cooperation, and you probably won't get it without some major relationship repair. Offer to participate in counseling with him about it, offer to mediate, offer to do whatever it takes....and offer it over and over again, and never give up.
Surely he will relent eventually, given enough time for him to get over the divorce.
Good luck!
Diana Mercer
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