Opinion ID: 1551378
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Grandparents Visitation Act

Text: [¶6] The Grandparents Visitation Act [2] allows the grandparent of a minor child to petition the court for reasonable rights of visitation or access if it is first established that the grandparent has standing. 19-A M.R.S. § 1803(1). Pursuant to section 1803(1)(B), a grandparent has standing if there is a sufficient existing relationship between the grandparent and the child. The grandparent must first file an affidavit containing facts that establish a sufficient existing relationship, and the parent may file an affidavit in response. 19-A M.R.S. § 1803(2)(A), (B). If the court determines based on the petition and affidavits that it is more likely than not that there is a sufficient existing relationship to confer standing, the case proceeds to a hearing. 19-A M.R.S. § 1803(2)(C), (D). The court may grant the petition if it finds that visitation is in the best interest of the child and will not significantly interfere with any parent-child relationship or with the parent's rightful authority over the child. 19-A M.R.S. § 1803(3).