Grandparents taking me to court for visitation

[Mia193]

Hello,

Im just after some advise from those who have been to court/ in a similar position - my daughter is 5 years old, since birth both me and her Father lived with my parents. Recently we have all moved out and the grandparents have became very hostile towards us and possessive over my daughter. They wanted to see her 4X a week, when i did not agree to this they filed an application to the court.They've even gone as far as getting close family members to send us abuse and alienate us form the rest of the family- resulting in cutting off all contact.

She is taking us to court in Feb this year - Please would people be able to share their experiences / outcomes :)

Thanks
Mia x

Did they provide child care /have much unsupervised time with your dc?

Hang on, did you say they've applied for residence initially OP?

somethings off here.... 🌺

Yes!! She saw her everyday prior to Covid 19 as she helped a lot with childcare and we lived there! But she has no good reason, no abuse, drugs etc! We both work full time it doesn’t make sense!

Thank you!!

Was it your suggestion to have supervised contact or do the courts suggest it? This is something I may consider for my daughter!

@Arobase

Grandparents don't have automatic rights in respect of their grandchildren, but they do have the right to apply for contact and courts may order it. The courts will consider matters such as the grandparents’ relationship with the grandchild, whether contact with the grandparents would be harmful in any way to the child, and If continuing the contact with the grandparents would impact negatively on the rest of the family.

If your parents have housed you and your daughter for five years, on the face of it they have a good case for at least some contact and it may well be worth trying to negotiate a compromise, If you don't want to do that, have you got solicitors involved, OP? You may need help in presenting your evidence and cross examining the grandparents and any witnesses.

Yes we have a solicitor!! We are hoping to get the case thrown out when it comes to it, providing we have a judge for the hearing!

I have loads of messages from the grandparents and other family members saying abusive and negative things towards me and my family!

Just cannot believe someone would take their own daughter to court!

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz - I'd imagine as the grandparents can show they have also had a primary carer role for the last 4 years, this would be looked at much like any other contact dispute- if the parents separated, even if the daughter was vulnerable, they would still award contact with both parents, so that's not an argument. Is there a reason that your parents are Pershing this? Have you stopped all contact abruptly after them all living together fir her whole life? Is there a compromise you'd be willing on? Supervised contact usually happens if there is a risk concern. Which obviously isn't the case if you've lived there the whole child's life.

@BlueThistles

OP are you in Scotland or Wales or England ?

England!

I'm glad you've got representation, OP. Why did you cut contact initially?

[quote SD1978]@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz - I'd imagine as the grandparents can show they have also had a primary carer role for the last 4 years, this would be looked at much like any other contact dispute- if the parents separated, even if the daughter was vulnerable, they would still award contact with both parents, so that's not an argument. Is there a reason that your parents are Pershing this? Have you stopped all contact abruptly after them all living together fir her whole life? Is there a compromise you'd be willing on? Supervised contact usually happens if there is a risk concern. Which obviously isn't the case if you've lived there the whole child's life. [/quote]
We only stopped contact due to Covid! We received an letter to confirm an application to court had been submitted 2 weeks later. I did read somewhere that if the child hasn’t lived with them for 3 months or more they cannot apply for any contact: maybe that’s why it was done so quickly

I'd move far away

could they not help with childcare and be a childcare bubble now?
What happened when you moved out? They just randomly went all hostile?

Grandparents do not have 'rights' to access OP. Please make no such arrangements prior to a court hearing. 🌺

When did you move out, and how long after that did you cease contact?

It doesn’t sound as if you intended on depriving them of seeing your vulnerable dd long term, just because of coronavirus. Is that correct? They’ve literally trashed your relationship with them because their wants are more important than your DD’s needs. 4 times a week is bonkers. I cannot imagine they would get this. It’s more time than with her own parents.

Let them let rip. It won't do their potential case any good. Especially if they believe their way to deal with your dc and Covid makes them assume to be better dps than you... They aren't the dps and ranting as it they are will show they don't respect your parenting. Not good to be around dc..

Am I missing something? You and your DD lived with your parents and now don't.
Your parents want to continue to have a relationship with you and your daughter....and...

You don't want your daughter to see her grandparents? Has something happened? Is this about how often in that they are demanding four times a week?

Most grandparents don't need a court order to see their grandchild, they are family?

not everyone has reasonable grandparents...

demanding contact 4 times a week is beyond unreasonable ... most absent Parents don't even get close to this amount of contact ..,

are they considered relevant persons in this childs life and are they regarded as such ?

OP if something has happened .. is it a safeguarding issue.. or trust .. whatever.. you need to get your Lawyers fully informed..

The only reason this is being entertained is because you have given the access request credence by compromising and accommodating their demands ...

Can I ask for an update on this please? How did it go in court?