Inlaws applying for access to DC

[milkyma]

Wondering please if anyone has experience of grandparents applying for contact/access to DC. In our case the lack of contact is due to damaging, toxic behaviour towards us, slander, affairs in in-laws marriage (us not wanting DC involved with others), and mental health of MIL. Not currently in contact with them. Any help is much much appreciated

AFAIK grandparents only have rights if they have already played a big part in their grandchildren's lives

Also depends on where you live

If youre in the UK don't bother worrying
Tell every agency that they will never see your children regardless of what they or a court say. Make it so there is no doubt you will fight this.

There is zero case law of any GPR case going to enforcement. But many many cases of grandparents being told by court there's sweet FA they can do even after they have an order

No court will disrupt a child's home or parents for grandparents. They won't pubish parents as this will negatively effect a child.

In mid wales. Grandparents not played a part, DC too young. No relationship established at all, only seen three times due to the damaging behaviour

Cafcass will probably write a report. If the grandparents haven’t played an important role in the children’s lives, and if it is true that there’s risk of emotional harm if they do see their grandparents and get mixed up in conflict, then it’s unlikely that their application will get them anywhere. Remain civilised, don’t engage with any attempts to draw you in to conflict, comply with court directions, speak honestly with Cafcass and provide evidence of past behaviour from the grandparents of you can.

Honestly don't worry. There may be scary letters, you may be infornt of a family court judge.

Don't ever hand over your children regardless of what is ordered.

@Wibblywobblylikejelly oh really? Thank you so much! I am in a mess with worry. I can't let my DC be a part of it all.

I inform agencies when approached? Don't need to action anything now? Not received anything but anticipating we will.

Also my dh and I are in agreement with this, does that help our position?

I would also lay on thick how this is causing friction in your marrige.

I'm in a relevant FB and they mentioned how the events were causing divorce discussions.
Judge mentioned that specifically as a reason to not go further with the GPR case.

Yes, wait to be approached. Don't be to pushy. Let them do all the running around.

It is true and in laws have already caused another sibling's divorce. We wanted to completely remove ourselves for our happiness. I hope it doesn't come to this but think there is a good chance they will try

@Wibblywobblylikejelly

I looked into this as my mother threatened to get access to my DC when she disowned me but still insisted she would be in my DCs lives with me not being involved!

It seems to be dependent on what role the GPs played in the GCs life (regular caregivers?), frequency of contact. My mother was never a caregiver and only saw them a few times a year (due to distance and only when we went to see her). Only had them overnight on their own twice in 12 years so she didn’t get far.

They also need to prove that it’s in the child’s best interests to have contact too.

Saying that she saw them once over a year ago for the first time in 10 years (at their request as they are grown up now and were conscious she was getting old) and hasn’t contacted them since!