Opinion ID: 1387582
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: May an independent action be used or is it required?

Text: Clearly by the scope of the cases and the regularity of the process, an independent action may be used for the purpose of grandparent visitation litigation. We emphasize visitation since if the scope approaches a change of custody order, then provisions of § 20-2-113(c) may not apply at all since the subsection relates only to reasonable visitation. See Commissioner ex rel. Shee v. Holewsky, 316 Pa.Super. 509, 463 A.2d 480 (1983). `The right   to go to see the child wherever he might be,' which does not include the right to take possession of the child. Id., 463 A.2d at 483 n. 2, quoting from Com. ex rel. Rosequist v. Rosequist, 216 Pa.Super. 388, 268 A.2d 140, 143 (1970). Cases supporting utilization of the independent action are extensive, and would include: Girtman v. Girtman, 191 Ga. 173, 11 S.E.2d 782 (1940); Visitation of J.O., Ind. App., 441 N.E.2d 991 (1982); Schumacher v. Schumacher, Mo. App., 223 S.W.2d 841 (1949); Hupp v. Hupp, 238 Mo. App. 964, 194 S.W.2d 215 (1946); Logan v. Smith, Okla., 602 P.2d 647 (1979); Zachary v. Zachary, 155 Or. 346, 63 P.2d 1080 (1937); [15] Prock v. Morgan, supra. Habeas corpus is a process frequently used and specifically approved for some states. See Commonwealth ex rel. McDonald v. Smith, 170 Pa.Super. 254, 85 A.2d 686 (1952); Application of Grover, supra; and numerous citations as an approved approach in New York State, e.g., State ex rel. Herman v. Lebovits, 66 Misc.2d 830, 322 N.Y.Supp.2d 123 (1971). We do not find that complex process of habeas corpus is necessary for this state. However, that litigation teaches that the indispensable parties are the custodial parent and the involved children who will become the subject matter of the court order. Obviously, cases exist where intervention is not the answer since there may not be an active divorce proceeding, e.g., single-parent and death cases.