Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
Grandparent visitation rights
Grandchild lives in Maryland near Baltimore with the mother. The grandparents on the fathers side live in Missouri. The father also lives in Missouri.
What legal steps are required for the grandparents to visit with the child without the mother being present, keep the child overnight, and legally take the child across the state line (Maryland to Pennsylvania) during the overnight visit.?
Do we need official court permission to do so, or only consent of the mother?
We prefer written permission from the mother with notarized consent to allow the visit and provision of any emergency medical care if needed.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Grandparent visitation rights
Grandparents may visit with oral or written consent of the custodial parent. No court order is required. As you suggest, it is safer to have the consent in writing. It should provide for pick up time, drop off time and place, names of people receiving temporary physical custody, and permission to travel in MD or PA.
Any further questions, let me know at 703-591-1600.
Olivier Long
Law Offices of Olivier Denier Long
10500 Sager Avenue, #B
Re: Grandparent visitation rights
Supplementing the earlier reply, if your daughter balks at allowing you to see your grandchild, you can petition the court in the county (or City of Baltimore) where she lives, or the court which entered the divorce decree, to allow you visitation rights. Generally this will be allowed unless for some reason the court feels it is not in the best interests of the child to spend time with you.
Robert Sher
Wagshal and Sher
5530 Wisconsin Ave-Suite 1200
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