Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Re: what are grandparents rights

Indiana's grandparent rights statute is found at Indiana Code 31-17-5. The grandparent is entitled to seek visitation rights if the parent is deceased; the parents' marriage was dissolved in Indiana; and with respect to a child born out of wedlock only if paternity has been established. Paternity may be established in Court or by affidavit of the parents at the time of birth. The court must find that visitation with the grandparent is in the child's best interests, so even having the right to seek it does not assure the grandparent of being able to see a child. If the child's parents remain married, then there is no right to seek visitation. In certain cases where marriage was dissolved out of state and the child has moved to Indiana, there may also be a visitation right to seek. Other statutes provide for placement of delinquent children and children in need of services with grandparents