Court Opinion

ID: 3745001
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 07:07:24.650601+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:45:41.275385
License: Public Domain

{¶ 26} Appellant sought to intervene in this action with the goal of acquiring visitation rights with the minor child. At first glance, this request appears to extend beyond the traditional concept of familial visitation rights. Nevertheless, I agree with the principal opinion that the issue in the case sub judice falls under the Ohio General Assembly's more expansive view of the potential number of people who should, in certain situations and in the best interest of the child, be awarded visitation rights with a minor child. This expanded view appears to take into account the evolving and fragmented family structure. Sometimes a situation may arise when a child's best interest may not neatly align with the child's family tree. Courts, therefore, may examine a child's personal situation and fashion visitation orders that truly comport with the child's best interest. I hasten to add, however, that simply because appellant should be permitted to intervene in this matter, our decision today should not be construed as a comment on the merits of the underlying action. Whether the trial court should, in fact, award appellant visitation rights with the minor child is a matter that the court must fully examine and determine under the appropriate standard.