Currently, as written, grandparent visitation statutes allow a deadbeat parents'parental rights to be terminated. Then, their parents can sue for grandparent visitation in the form of non-custodial parent visitation with the children. Sometimes, the deadbeat parent is on drugs. Often, the deadbeat parent lives with the litigating grandparent. We have all heard Al Gore campaign about family values and forcing deadbeat parents to assume responsiblity for the financial and emotional well-being of their children.
Grandparent visitation has nothing to do with parental support.
In the state of Pa. any mother on welfare signs for the welfare dept. to go after the father for support. In a case where the parental rights have been removed, that parent no longer is responsible for the child. Grandparents are not responsible for child support, and therefore have a right to petition the court for visitation. It seems very clear to me. Never filed for visitation, and when I let my daughter visit hergrandfather, it was only under the condition that she not see her bio father.