How do you feel about the legal system today, with regards to grandparents rights?
547767
Taking her to court to enforce visitation for you will open a HUGE can of worms.  I'm not sure if you are thinking of the big picture here.  You may not be up to what she can rein down on you.  She can make up any story she wants to about you and bring you into court, dragged through the mud.  Legally, she can say whatever she wants to say about you to make it look as though you should not come within 100 feet of those kids either.  I've been there in a BIG way.  There is nothing like having your reputation as a normal, loving, upstanding person questioned.  And who is the court going to believe?  They believe her as much as they believe you.  Then you'll have to deal with a court liason running a fine toothed comb through your life and home to see if you are fit.  You've never felt so insulted and violated in your life and it's something you can scarecly recover from, even though it's for the love of a child.  I know you want to see your grandkids and I honestly believe in my heart that you will in time.  Right now, try to reason with her like a human being and appeal to her sense of compassion.  She is probably afraid that the kids will end up with your son when they are supposed to be with you and that's a normal way to feel.  I guarantee that trying to force this with her will only make things worse and make your life a living hell.  Please, for the sake of the kids, try to be patient.  It is terrible to see little ones stuck in the middle of this.  All of a sudden, they will feel as though they shouldn't trust you or they are wrong for loving you because their Mom is angry with you for forcing visitation.  They've already got mixed up feelings about not being able to see their Dad.  And then when they are with you, they'll feel guilty for loving Mom.  There is no way to win here.  I strongly suggest you wait it out.  She will cool down eventually and let you see the kids, but she has to do it in her own time.  As long as you hold your tounge and be ready the minute she says ok, you'll be rewarded.\nGod bless.
670928
It's too late for me to be a father again, but I can be a grandpa.  I'm looking forward to that.  Besides, it's not my life long committment, I can always hand baby back to mommy. (and snicker cause I know the baby needs changing)
1043812
If money is tight, I would suggest contacting a local Legal Aid center. Usually, free legal clinics like that will have you meet with a volunteer lawyer there, who will assess your factual situation and determine whether the center can do something for you or, if your situation is particularly complicated, refer you to a lawyer who has a referral relationship with the center. At least, you may be able to get some information that will help you better formulate how to go about resolving the problem you're having with your grandfather's daughter. Sometimes, all it takes is a demand letter (i.e., a threat to sue) to prompt people to solve a problem without ever going into litigation.
1076590
Please do not lose it and please be patient w/ grandma, remember we all will get old one day.  Now it seems as if she is aware enough for you to get her to have a DNR drafted as well as give you durable POA.  I suggest you contact your local law school and see if they have a legal clinic that handles these kinds of matters, based on your grandmother's income they may be able to help you and do it free of charge.  I would also advise call Adult Protective Services to ask about any programs they have for the care of older citizens.  And finally, check to make sure grandma is taking her meds properly, sometimes when they are not taking them properly this effects their mental abilities.  Next doctors appointment go in with her and discuss any issues w/ him/her regarding grandma.  Also review www.webmd.com to review the medications she is on.
1055320
i'm not sure about other states but in VA the grandparents have to.  My mom works for child support enforcement and she said if they both signed over 'legal' gaurdianship then everything should be ok.  But they have to get child support from both parents not just from the dad or mom.
737070
You mean to say you are already fighting over your grandmother's possessions before she has even passed away? Terrible! It is her property and whatever decision she makes should be final! She has her reasons for doing this and her final wishes should be honored regardless of what you or anyone else thinks...
955358
I personally haven't heard of this website before, but as soon as I finish this post I'll try it out. As a person who has had experience with that ruthless, relentless, egotistical and corrupted agency, I feel as though something needs to be done about them yesterday! I have nothing good to say about them, at all! \n\nYes, a system like cps is needed, but I'll also be the first to admit that with the way the agency is now, it could stand to be shut down for repairs and a overhaul! Since my kids were taken back in March, and I've dealt with the cps system, I have never seen such a group of  lying, power tripping, and corrupted people in my entire life!\n\nIt is a miscarriage of justice for the things they do to some families and get away with. I have witnessed it first hand myself and it blows me away. They treat you like you are guilty before you've even gone to court! They lie and twist the truth so bad that you have lost before you are given a fair shot at winning your case. And the poor kids, they are shuffled from one foster home to another, while the sorry a$$ social worker sits back and thinks of more hurdles for the parents to jump over before she/he decides to let you have even your basic rights as the kids' parents!\n\nThe foster parents are no better and if they have taking a liking to your kid(s) they will work alongside the social worker to do any little thing they can think of to make it harder for the parents to get their kids back. (eventually hoping to be able to adopt the child- if things head in that direction) They show up late for the vistations, if not cancel them all together! any flemsy excuse they hand to the social worker  for the late or missed visitations is good enough for her or him. Oh and also, when the visitations are missed, or the foster parents show up late, the visits are not made up or extended, the parents just have to suffer the time lost to see their kids! The foster parents watch and listen to every little thing you say, then go back and twist it to their advantage, trying to make it look like you're incompetent as hell to raise your own kids!\nMy favorite foster parents are the ones who've never had kids, but are "experts" on how to raise kids (yours too) and how to take care of them! That one still makes me laugh! \n\nBut to answer your question, no, I think we as regular folk don't have the power to do anything that would be sufficient enough to put cps in their place! No, this needs to be looked at on a congressional level, then and only then would some action start being taken against cps. Sounds easy enough, but it isn't! The hardest part is getting those big wigs in the office to admit that there is a problem! Until then, millions of home wil be broken up by C.P.S (like someone else said it, Child Punishment Services)
428101
i only knew my great-grandmother. she took care of me every day when i was little, but she died when i was 8.  it was cool because she was 80 years older than me which is a whole world of difference.  she could remember back to the turn of the century (1900, not 2000 of course).  she told me stories all the time about how the world was when she was little.  she really valued teaching children nursery rhymes, bible songs, and stories of the past.  i think she was really important in shaping the values i still have. also, i have lots of respect and some sympathy for old people now b/c of her.  it's got to be sad to be old and be living in a world that is so unfamiliar to you and where you don't really feel like you are a valued part of society.  i really miss her even today, but i'm so grateful that i knew her.  i'm sorry you missed out on that, maybe, hopefully, you'll be around to know your own great-grandchildren adn you can make good memories for them like i have.
962508
Well first I will comend you for taking care  of your grandchildren. It's not your place but you are good for doing it. Not to be harsh but it really sounds like your daughter is craving the wrong kind of attention from men. She needs a hard dose of reality that men like that are no good and often are the ones who are crazy. As for you and the children in your care i would seriously consider moving. However you can pretty much find anyone on the internet. It's a terrible situation you daughter has put you in. I dont believe the police will do anything unless he makes threats or actually harms you. The thing that sucks is the same basic rights protecting you are the same rights he has even though he is an abuser. IN ANY CASE if are afraid for your life or your loved ones I would still call the police and see what they can do. Because state laws vary i may not be accuate on what the police can or can not do. I'll say a prayer for you and I hope everything works out ok for yoy.
776029
Depending on the situation. When my parents are older I feel they should be the responsibilty of me and my siblings. The way I see it, they spent quite a few years looking after us, so we should do the same for them.
94284
Below 18, your rights are basically to have your parents treat you within certain limits, such as defined in "child abuse" and "child neglect" laws.  Your responsibilities are to obey your parents to the extent short of committing a crime.\n\nAfter 18, your rights are to do what you will within the criminal justice code and the laws governing civil responsibilities (tort, administrative law, and the like).  Your responsibilities are to pay your bills, avoid breaking laws, and care for any offspring or spouse you may have.\n\nAfter 65 (or so; there's a fuzzy area here), your rights are to collect social security, get discounts on lots of things, and be treated with a certain respect.  Your responsibilities do not, in substance, change from what they were when you were younger, except that nominally, you do not need to get a job.\n\nNow, that's a rough overview of the legal situation in the US.  More generally, I believe it is your responsibility to learn from the wisdom of your elders, and for elders to share their wisdom with the young.
120602
People who know them all do not realize how lucky they are.  I work with someone who is pushing 40 and both grandparents on her mothers side are still kicking.  My father left when I was 4, so I met my grandmother only once.  When I was in the Navy though and stationed on the West Coast I was lucky enough to meet my grandfather.  On my mother's side I never met my grandfather, he and my grandmother divorced before I was born and I don't think my mother got along well with him.  I did know my grandmother though.  So in short, I knew only 1 from each side.
300217
The Supreme Court has determined that parents have a "fundamental right" to raise their children as they see fit and as such have the absolute "right" to forbid the child's grandparents from any type of visitation.  The case reached the Supreme Court after a state law granted visitation rights to grandparents a the parents of a deceased mother sought visitation of their grandson.  The father refused.  The Court held that the state law was unconstitutional because it interfered with the parent's right to raise his child the way he wanted.
761084
have just turned 40,been 'grandmother' for 4 yrs! We prefer term 'nanny'. When i'm out with one or both of my grandchildren its priceless to see some peoples faces when they call 'nanny'. Dont worry-Be happy.
606018
The law states that all children should receive an equal share of the inheritence unless stated otherwise in a will or something. It makes no distinction b/w legitimate and so-called 'illegitimate' children. I think this is the right thing as making such a distinction is only another form of discrimination. Why should someone have less rights because they were born out of wedlock? it's hardly their fault.
551735
Yes, depending on the state and your grandmothers will and wishes, it can take a year or longer to get all the issues through probate court. Good luck in this venture...we have had to go through this ourselves twice in the past 18 months. I am so very sorry to hear about your loss!
177022
I'm not old enough to have a granddaughter.\nI wonder why you are asking this question...seems that you are frustrated.\nNo, I would not ask my parents to look after my kids for such a long time......they have their own life and they should enjoy their new-gained freedom. I would not treat them like free baby-sitters.\nBut then I don't know your circumstances either.