Grandparents right to see deceased sons children

[mistymoo]

Hi I'm new to this so apologise in advance!
My son died in 2009 leaving a daughter (almost 3) and an unborn son and partner (not married) after his death they lived with me for three months before being rehoused.
I was with the mum when my grandson was born (sept 2009) and have had constant contact over the years.
She has made it increasingly difficult over the last 12 months for me to see the children however I had contact every month and saw the children 12 times last year.
She has a new partner and a few weeks ago said I could no longer see my two grandchildren.
I have tried to get her to meet with me to discuss this but she has refused.
What rights do I have?
More info can be supplied - and there is loads just put the basics here to see what help is available
thanks any help will be much appreciated

[des8]

Re: Grandparents right to see deceased sons children

Hi and welcome.
Sorry to hear of your problems. It is sad when a child is deprived of contact with grandparents.
Grandparents do not have an automatic right to access to the grandchildren
It is possible for them to ask courts permission to make application for an order granting access.
There are more details here:http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/family/...re/500378.html. and I can guarantee others will be along with support and advice for you,

[Amethyst]

Re: Grandparents right to see deceased sons children

Have you talked with her about her new partner ? Has she given any reasons to you for withdrawing access ?

[MissFM]

Re: Grandparents right to see deceased sons children

Hi mistymoo ,

Firstly, I'm so terribly sorry for your loss.

As a grandparent I can only begin to imagine how painful your situation must be - unfortunately Des is correct that grandparents don't have any automatic legal rights.

The only thing I can think of at the moment to add to the above is that, if you do feel that you are getting nowhere with informal approaches and do decide to ask the courts for permission to apply for contact, it would probably be a good idea to do so sooner rather than later. As you've had such a close relationship with the children, it would count in favour of continued contact - but as time passes without contact, the argument that you are not an integral part of their life might gain traction.

You have my heartfelt good wishes and we are all here to support you in any way we can :hug: x

[mistymoo]

Re: Grandparents right to see deceased sons children

Have you talked with her about her new partner ? Has she given any reasons to you for withdrawing access ?

No she says I haven't been in contact and so she won't let me see them. My 82 year old mum moved up from Cornwall just before Christmas and although I saw them at Christmas I was so busy I didn't contact her until the end of March when I apologised and said I couldn't believe it was March and hadn't seen them all since Christmas. I asked to see them over Easter and she said they weren't sure what they were doing and would let me know then she never. Eventually she let me see them the following weekend but put up all kinds of objections as to how long I could see them etc. she has now said I can see them the 9th August (after I said I had spoken to solicitors) but she will be in the background so for the moment I am holding out that she keeps to it.