We’ve written previously on the issue of grandparent’s rights in Kentucky. To read that article, click here

In this blog, we will address a recent change in this area of Kentucky law.

The Kentucky Legislature recently expanded the rights of grandparents to visit with their grandchildren. House Bill 517, signed into law in April of 2018, amended the grandparent visitation statute (KRS 405.021) to create a presumption that grandparent visitation is in the child’s best interest when there is a significant and viable relationship between the child and grandparent, and when the parent who is the child of the grandparent is deceased. Additionally, the new law requires that when one set of grandparents is awarded temporary custody of a child, the court must consider granting visitation rights to any grandparents not awarded custody.

If you are a grandparent seeking visitation rights with a grandchild, the attorneys at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey recommend that you talk to the child’s parent(s) first. Many times, issues such as this can be solved outside of the courtroom and everyone can save a lot of heartache, time and money. If a resolution cannot be reached, you should contact an attorney  with experience in grandparent visitation issues.