Legal Question in Family Law in Rhode Island

Unfortunately, you can. Under both Federal and Rhode Island State Law you have no rights as a grandparent to see your grandchildren.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of this bad news. Perhaps someday the law will catch up with the concept of extended families and grandparents being denied access to their grandchildren simply because there is animosity between a parent and their child. Sometimes grandparents are the best influence and role models for grandchildren but as yet nothing is recognized legally to that effect.