Court Opinion

ID: 9716352
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 06:35:12.625786+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:44.182177
License: Public Domain

Sullivan, J.
(concurring). I agree that the provisions of the adoption act do not “override” the grandparent visitation statute. However, I feel that the majority opinion places too much emphasis on the visitation rights a grandparent has under the statute, and it does not adequately in-*439dieate that the child’s best interest always comes first. Moreover, I question whether, on the evidentiary record of this case, the order for visitation was in the child’s best interest, or, at least, whether reinstatement of the order at the present time may not work grievous harm on the child and the family unit of which she is a part.
Here the trial judge ordered that plaintiff have visitation over the objections of the child, as well as the child’s father and adoptive mother who felt that plaintiff has been a disruptive influence in their family unit. The record indicates that the court-ordered attempts to give plaintiff visitation with the child have .not only failed, but have had an adverse physical and emotional impact on the child herself. It may be that the child has been conditioned against her grandmother. If so, this is to be regretted, hut if nurturing the relationship between grandparent and grandchild is to he had at the expense of the child’s well-being and the family unit in which she now lives, I would have no doubt as to what a court should do.
The majority opinion, after affirming the ruling of the trial court on the issue of statutory construction, remands the matter to the trial court to hold a hearing as to whether or not at the present time and as circumstances now exist it would he in the child’s best interests to enter an order for continued visitation. I agree with the remand and the necessity for a hearing, but would require that it he held within the framework of what I have said above. In this regard, the trial court should interview the child to ascertain, if possible, her feelings in the matter. If the child continues to oppose visitation by her grandmother, the court should try to have the child articulate her reasons. All of this should then be made a part of the record.