Grandparent Rights in Illinois: A Guide

Grandparents often play a pivotal role in the lives of their grandchildren, providing love, support, and wisdom. However, circumstances may arise where grandparents find themselves grappling with an unfortunate reality: they are denied access to their beloved grandchildren. In Illinois, navigating the complexities of grandparent rights, specifically visitation rights, can be challenging. Helping grandparents understand their rights and the legal processes can allow people to maintain and preserve that cherished relationship with their grandchildren.

Quick Answers

• Grandparents do not have an automatic relationship with their grandchildren. If the parents of the grandchildren deny or prohibit the grandparent-grandchild relationship, a Court order is necessary to facilitate the relationship.
• State family law judges can award visitation to grandparents, which includes holiday visitation, periodic weekend visitation, and telephone contact with the grandchildren.
• Prior to litigating grandparent rights, the Court will generally expect the grandparent to make good-faith efforts with the child’s parents to allow for grandparent-grandchild visits.
• A judge’s decision on granting grandparent visitation rights is based on the factors that determine the best interests of the child, the existing or prior relationship between the grandparent and the grandchild, and evidence that shows that harm would be caused to the child by the denial of the grandparent visitation.
• Grandparents should seek legal support to increase chances for obtaining visitation or custody rights.
• The Court will not order grandparent visitation if doing so is not in the best interests of the grandchild.

Understanding Grandparent Rights for Visitation in Illinois

Illinois grandparent visitation rights are important and intricate, but they are limited as currently governed by state law. For example, there is a legal presumption that the parents are best suited to make decisions regarding their children. As such, the Court’s analysis of grandparent’s rights can dramatically differ from the Court’s analysis of the rights of the parents. The Courts will generally apply significant weight to the preferences of the parent’s of the child, along with the reasons that the parents provide for why the grandparent visitation should be denied. Consequently, when a parent opposes grandparent visitation, it can be challenging for grandparents to secure visitation rights and for courts to grant them. In such circumstances, a knowledgeable family law attorney’s guidance becomes invaluable for multiple purposes, including:

• Assess the harm that denying the grandparent relationship would cause the child
• Determine the favorability of the facts and the history and current situation
• Evaluate the strength of a grandparent’s rights claim
• Help you navigate a legal system where parental rights are strong
• Collect evidence to support a healthy grandparent relationship

Eligibility Criteria for Grandparent Visitation

To be eligible for grandparent visitation rights in Illinois, certain conditions must be met for grandparent visitation to be legally awarded. Grandparents have right to visitation, but the children also have the right to a relationship with their grandparents. Grandparents need court approval to visit their grandchildren, which requires them to bring a case before the court for consideration and adjudication. As such, there is no automatic right to grandparent visitation. Judges may grant visitation that serve the child’s best interests, including grandparent visitation rights, if the appropriate conditions are present. However, the Court may deny the request for grandparent visitation rights if both parents object, regardless of whether the child’s parents are married or currently living together.

Judges may consider grandparent visitation rights when one of the following scenarios is present:

1. The child’s other parent is deceased or has been missing for at least three months.
2. A parent of the child is incompetent as a matter of law or currently incarcerated.
3. There is a guardianship case currently in place.
4. A grandparent-grandchild relationship previously existed.
5. At least one parent does not object to grandparent visitation.
6. There has been an unreasonable denial of the grandparent-grandchild relationship.

For grandparent rights to exist, it is necessary to prove that the unreasonable denial of grandparent visitation inflicts harm on the child. Unreasonable denial of visitation refers to a situation in which a parent or guardian unjustifiably precludes a grandparent from having visitation with a child. The denial of grandparent visitation by the parent will not be considered unjustifiable if the denial of visitation is deemed reasonable and to be in the best interests of the child. To prevail in a grandparent visitation case, the burden of proof lies with the grandparent, who must show that it is in the best interest of the child to have regular visits, that there is a legal basis to require grandparent visitation, and that harm would result to the child if grandparent-grandchild visitation did not occur as requested.

Legal Process for Obtaining Visitation Rights

The process of securing grandparent visitation rights in Illinois includes the following steps:

1. Grandparents must file a petition in the child’s county of residence.
2. Detailed facts must be provided regarding the nature of the grandparent-grandchild relationship.
3. The history of the parents, or their current situation and role in the child’s life, must be provided.
4. Court papers must be served to the child’s parent or legal guardian prior to any hearing on the petition.
5. The grandparent filing the petition must allege and prove that the child’s mental, physical, or emotional health would be harmed by the parent’s decision to deny grandparent visitation.
6. Grandparents may also be required to file a motion to intervene as a third party petitioner, in order to be allowed to participate in the case.

If the parent declines to engage in mediation with the grandparent or even discuss grandparent visitation, a grandparent may contemplate filing a petition in court for visitation rights. Mediation is an out-of-court resolution process that allows parties to discuss a visitation schedule, which is often recommended so that costly litigation can be avoided. Its appeal lies in its time-efficiency, cost-saving capabilities, and ability to offer a more personalized visitation schedule than what a Court might authorize or approve over one or both parties objections.

Factors Influencing a Judge’s Decision on Grandparent Rights

When deciding whether to grant grandparent visitation rights, Illinois judges consider a variety of factors, including the best interests of the child, the wishes of the child’s parents, and the nature of the relationship between the child and the grandparents. To ensure the safety of the child, grandparents with a history of criminal activity or other negative behaviors that could be detrimental to the child are likely to be denied their request for grandparent visitation. Also, grandparents who have been convicted of violent crimes or sexual abuse against anyone will most likely be denied their visitation rights.

Grandparents must present a compelling case in court, because parental rights are very strong. Grandparent’s rights are not on the same level of parental rights, especially when the parents have proven to be good parents and place the needs and best interests of the children first. In order to have a successful claim for grandparent visitation, it must be proven that the parent’s denial of grandparent visitation has unduly impacted or negatively affected the child’s physical, emotional, or mental well-being, potentially causing emotional harm. By gathering substantial evidence and working with a knowledgeable family law attorney to support this claim, a grandparent seeking visitation can increase their chances of success in obtaining visitation rights.

The Intersection of Grandparent Visitation and Parental Authority

Parental authority, or “parental responsibilities” in Illinois, encompasses both parenting time and decision-making power. While parents are generally presumed to be fit and possess authority over visitation decisions, grandparents may still have limited legal rights to visitation, depending on the family dynamics. The default presumption in the context of grandparent rights is that the parents of the child are fit and that their decisions are likely to serve the best interests of the minor child. However, the presumption that the parent’s decisions about the children generally serve the child’s interests is a rebuttable presumption. The balance between the child’s parents’ authority, including at least one parent, and the grandparent’s visitation rights is a complicated matter that warrants reasonable and thoughtful analysis from an impartial judge.

Presumption of Fit Parent’s Actions

In the context of grandparent visitation rights in Illinois, there is a presumption that the actions and decisions of a fit parent regarding grandparent visitation are in the best interest of the child. As such, the request for grandparent visitation would be denied if the Court hears no other evidence besides the wishes of the parent. Additional evidence would have to be presented in that case, in order to overcome the presumption that the parent’s decision is consistent with the child’s best interests. This presumption can be challenged through the presentation of sufficient evidence, such as demonstrating that the parent’s actions actually inflict harm on the child in these particular circumstances.

Balancing Parental Responsibilities and Grandparents’ Intentions

As mentioned earlier, statute provides that the legal presumption in Illinois is that parents are best positioned to make decisions regarding their children, which includes grandparent visitation. However, this does not mean that grandparents’ intentions are disregarded, and this does not mean that the requests of grandparents for visitation would necessarily be denied. In assessing the claim or request of grandparents seeking visitation rights in Illinois, factors such as the grandparents’ intentions in relation to the existing grandparent-grandchild relationship, the grandchild’s preference, and the mental and physical health of the child are taken into account.

When Grandparents May Seek Custody in Illinois

In certain circumstances, grandparents in Illinois may seek custody of their grandchildren. However, the courts typically prioritize leaving children in the care of their biological parents. Grandparents may have more success in obtaining visitation rights instead of full custody. Circumstances where children are in the custody of a non-parent, rather than in the custody of a parent, can result in the grandparent obtaining custody of the child. When the parents of the minor child are unwilling or otherwise unfit to act as a parent or care for the child, the law favors grandparents or other close family members as the people who should serve that parental role when the parents are unavailable. While grandparent custody is more likely to occur when the person caring for the child is a non-parent, it is possible under certain circumstances that a grandparent can obtain custody of a grandchild over the objection of the parent. It is important to comprehend the scenarios when grandparents might seek custody and the distinctions between guardianship and custody.

Guardianship vs. Custody: What Grandparents Need to Know

Guardianship and custody are distinct legal concepts in the context of grandparents seeking legal rights to care for their grandchildren in Illinois. While there is significant overlap, guardianship refers to the legal responsibility for the physical needs and decision-making for the child, while custody may refer to who has possession or control of the child. However, the term guardianship and the term custody are used loosely and interchangeably in the context of grandparent rights.

In Illinois, grandparents may petition the court for guardianship of their grandchildren. It is more common for the guardian to be a relative, and guardianship is usually awarded when a parent is unable and unfit to care for their child. In contrast, custody normally involves a parent’s entitlement to care for and make decisions on behalf of their child. When a grandparent obtains guardianship of a child through an already existing custody or divorce case between the parents, the Court’s sometimes refer to that form of guardianship as custody. Grandparents would also be considered to have custody of the child or children if the parents relinquish their rights, or the parental rights of the parents are terminated, and the grandparent adopts their grandchildren.

Modifying and Enforcing Grandparent Rights Visitation Orders

There may be instances where grandparents need to modify or enforce grandparent visitation orders in Illinois. This could happen when there’s a substantial change in circumstances or if the current visitation order isn’t being adhered to. The schedule may no longer suit the needs of the grandchild, or the other people involved in the child’s life may be disobeying the Court ordered grandparent visitation schedule. It is important for grandparents to understand the timeline and conditions for seeking modifications and the legal recourse available for non-compliance of grandparent visitation schedules.

Timeline and Conditions for Seeking Modifications

In Illinois, modifications to grandparent visitation orders may be sought if there is a substantial change in circumstances and it is deemed to be in the best interest of the child. Circumstances where abuse occurs may also warrant a modification. To request modifications, you should follow the legal process, which may involve:

1. Providing written allegations of facts
2. Alleging specific major changes in circumstances
3. Alleging specific violations of the order for visitation
4. Requesting a hearing before the judge
5. Submitting of filing a Motion to Modify
6. Serving the other party with the documents
7. Attending a hearing to present evidence
8. Securing a court order for modification or enforcement

It is not advisable for parties to engage in these steps without a lawyer. Legal representation is essential for grandparents looking to exercise legal rights over their grandchildren, which includes the modification and enforcement of grandparent visitation orders.

Legal Recourse for Non-Compliance

When visitation orders are not being followed, grandparents have legal options available to them. In Illinois, grandparents may petition the court for stronger or stricter visitation rights if the initial visitation order is being disregarded by the parent. Judges often to not take kindly to Court orders being disregarded. Failure to adhere to grandparent visitation orders in Illinois may incur severe consequences such as fines, incarceration, and court-ordered enforcement. To demonstrate non-compliance with a visitation order, a grandparent should document any violations with detailed records, should an effort to resolve the dispute outside of Court, and to be compromising and not rigid with respect to the need for minor temporary changes to the grandparent visitation schedule. You may also file a Motion for Contempt with the court or a Petition for Rule to Show Cause, which would allow the Court to compel compliance with the Court order through the inherent contempt authority of the Court. Seeking legal advice from an attorney who specializes in family law is recommended to ensure the process is handled correctly.

Adoption and Its Impact on Grandparent Visitation Rights

Adoption can have a significant impact on grandparent visitation rights in Illinois. When a child is adopted by a non-relative, the ties between the child the grandparents are typically severed and eliminated. This would cause grandparents to also lose their opportunity to grandparent visitation rights. There are certain exceptions, however, in which the grandparent-grandchild relationship can continue after an adoption occurs. It is important for grandparents to be aware of the potential impact of adoption on their visitation rights and the conditions under which visitation may still be possible. Seeking legal counsel can help grandparents understand their rights and options in such situations.

Choosing the Right Legal Advocate

When choosing a lawyer for grandparent visitation rights cases in Illinois, you should be thoughtful and considerate. You should evaluate their experience and expertise in family law, especially in matters of grandparent visitation rights. It is prudent to seek out a lawyer who:

• Has successfully managed comparable cases in the past
• Has an adequate knowledge of the pertinent laws in Illinois
• Has a communication style that suits your needs
• Is available to handle your case in a professional manner
• Has reasonable fees that are justified by the services provided

Arranging consultations with multiple lawyers can help identify the most suitable attorney for one’s needs. You should obtain an attorney you believe to be trustworthy. Lastly, attempting to proceed without an attorney would likely have serious negative consequences on your case.

Summary

Navigating the complexities of grandparent visitation rights in Illinois can be challenging, but understanding the legal processes and the criteria for eligibility can help you preserve your grandparent-grandchild relationship. Ultimately, the best interests of the child should be the guiding principle in all decisions related to grandparent visitation rights, however, that is not enough. Grandparents must demonstrate that the denial of visits is having a detrimental effect on the children’s physical, emotional, or mental well-being, or else the request for grandparent visitation will not be granted. It is a high burden for grandparents. One reason, to put it simply, is parental rights are strong.

The rights to grandparent visitation can be especially challenging when the custodial parent of the child opposes the visitation. The reason is because there is a legal presumption that a fit parent’s actions being consistent with the child’s best interests carries weight as it sets a legal benchmark that grandparents must surpass to obtain visitation rights. In order to counter this presumption, the grandparent must provide compelling evidence that the denial of visitation is unreasonable and inflicts harm to the minor child. By collaborating with a family law attorney, grandparents can navigate this complicated balance to ensure that the cherished bond between grandparents and grandchildren is preserved and nurtured.