In grandparent visitation dispute, Court must interview orphaned teenage minor regarding her interests
This case, B.J.P. v. K.F.W., involves the efforts by a minor’s paternal grandmother to obtain visitation rights with the child. The minor is a 16 year old whose mother is deceased Since 2004, she has been raised by her paternal aunt and uncle, but they did not adopt her. They were initially granted joint legal custody of the child with the child’s father in 2005 (and they had...
Visitation by grandparents not a sure thing in New Jersey
When a minor child loses a parent, typically the surviving parent is the legal guardian of the child. That can leave the parents of the child’s deceased parent in the lurch when it comes to visitation. They want to maintain the relationship they have forged with their grandchild.
The New Jersey statute can be found at NJSA 9:7.1. The liberty interest of the surviving parent to raise the...