Opinion ID: 883751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: cross appeal issue i grandparent visitation

Text: Michelle's first issue on cross-appeal is whether it was error for the court to allow grandparent visitation when there was no petition from the grandparents before the court. Daniel argues that the grandparents were actually granted visitation in order to facilitate his exercise of parental visitation and therefore, the granting of grandparent visitation was appropriate. There appears to be no disagreement that a petition for visitation by Danny's paternal grandparents was never filed. Section 40-4-217(2), MCA, permits the grant of visitation to grandparents upon the petition of a grandparent if the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation would be in the best interest of the child. Even though there was some discussion about grandparent visitation in the Special Master's Report, the Special Master's Recommended Findings and Conclusions and the District Court's Order regarding Objections to the Special Master's Recommended Findings, Conclusions and Final Decree of Dissolution, there is no mention of a petition for grandparent visitation nor is there evidence that a hearing was held to determine whether such visitation was in Danny's best interests. Therefore, this issue was not properly before the court and we hold that the District Court erred in granting visitation to the paternal grandparents and accordingly, reverse on this issue.