2. WHO IS A GRANDPARENT
• A grandparent is a “person of a child’s father or mother, who is related
to the child by blood”1
• A grandparent can ask for visitation,
• In such cases as , divorce, legal custody has been given to another
party (foster parents), where the child’s parent is blood related, or in
death.
• Visitation rights are not restricted or denied, to the grandparents.
3. DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE MY
GRANDCHILD?
• No, there is no right saying that you can have access to your
grandchild.
• According to Alberta Family Law, “the law does not assume that the
children have an relationship with the grandparents.”
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• But, you can be granted visitation and/or custody of your grandchild.
4. HOW CAN I OBTAIN VISITATION RIGHTS AS
A GRANDPARENT?
• In order to see your grandchild, you must be granted a contact order.
• To get this contact order you must;
• Have contact between, the child and the grandparent
• The contact between grandparent and child, would be jeopardized if
the grandparent would be denied access
• The guardian denies contact, between child and grandparent, and is
unreasonable.
5. CONTINUED…
• In order to obtain a visitation order, a grandparent needs to file a
motion.
• “an affidavit in the district court where the grandchild lives”
• The opposing party may file an opposing affidavit.
• The visitation rights must be in the best interests of the grandchild.
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6. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A GRANDPARENT?
• There are two major rights
• To care for the child, or contact
• To get information and be comforted to carry out your responsibilities.
• Makes day-day decisions that will affect the child
• Which school the child will attend
• Which culture and religion the child will be brought up in.
7. CONTINUED….
• Regarding decisions about the child's health.
• Supporting the child using there own income
• Making sure the child is well benefited( clothing, food, etc.)
• Helping the child mature.
• Guiding the child, through lifestyle choices.
8. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT BECOMES
OVERWHELMING?
• As the legal guardian, you have the legal responsibility, to care the
child.
• Therefore, you are responsible for the child.
• As well you, must care for the child until they are the age of the
majority.
• Likewise, if you can not provide for the child, you have to find alternate
arrangements.
9. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE CHILD?
• The grandparents provide, a stabilizing force in times of the crisis.
• Seeing their grandparents, will benefit the child’s development.
• It will affect the child’s relationships, for generations and generations.
• They will receive unconditional love, which will help them develop.
• Relationship will benefit the child, and their emotional needs.
10. BENEFITS OF THE GRANDPARENT SEEING
THEIR GRANDCHILD.
• The grandparent, have developed a sense of “wellbeing, and morale”
• They act as historians to the children,
• Act as a resource of maximum, information
• Help the child mature and grow.
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11. LAWS PERTAINING GRANDPARENTS
RIGHT’S
• Laws concerning grandparents, have already been introduced in
Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and
the Yukon territory.
• These bills require courts to consider, the relationship between
children and grandparents.
• The Rights of Grandparents Bill 2013,was passed and is the
obligation for grandparents, to apply for access to their grandchild.
12. CANADIAN GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS AND
ASSOCIATION
• Its main function, is to serve as a point of contact for “ people who
require assistance on gaining access to grandchildren in the case of
family separation.”
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• Alberta office:
• Canadian Grandparent’s rights association.
• (403)-284-3887
•
