Grandparent rights/access

[Cookiemum14]

Hi, to cut a long story short, my partners parents are currently taking us to court for access to our children. We have been to the first hearing and they were granted permission to apply for a child arrangment order.

We stopped contact due to a very long history of my partners mum’s behaviour. Without going into detail as it would go on too long, she is nothing but manipulative and evil.

Has anyone been through this? What was the outcome? They have legal representation and we are self representing. We are unsure how much we are really going to have to fight this to stop it from happening. Their defence is that they have looked after the children in past while we have worked etc. We finally stood up to her last year and stopped contact, she has threatened us with court for the last few years as we were cutting back on time the kids spent with them.

Thanks

Only a couple of months ago the EU Court of Justice ruled that grandparents have a right to see their grandchildren. They would have to prove an ongoing relationship that benefits the child and which is not detrimental to the child’s other family relationships.

Obviously in your case the grandparents have had little contact in recent years and no contact in the last year, and the grandparents are estranged from your family so contact will cause significant conflict. IMO your best bet is to show evidence of MIL’s behaviour and explain why you want no contact. Of course if they’re granted permission you can still refuse to comply and make them take you to court again to have it enforced.

Although I agree with LlamaPyjamas first paragraph with regard to this next section

Obviously in your case the grandparents have had little contact in recent years and no contact in the last year, and the grandparents are estranged from your family so contact will cause significant conflict.

If they can prove that you have been obstructive with no reason and it would be beneficial for them to see their GC then it is possible that they could get a child arrangement order.

You need to be showing examples of their behaviour and how it will impact negatively on your child.

Thanks, we have provided statements and evidence to the court already which details her behaviour however we fear its our word against hers when it comes to the hearing. Its very daunting not having any legal representation but we simply can’t afford it