“I haven’t seen my grandchildren in months. Do I have any rights at all?” Is a question we are often asked.
It’s a heartbreaking situation, and unfortunately, it’s more common than you’d think — especially after a divorce or family fallout.
So here’s the honest answer: grandparents don’t have an automatic right to contact. Not in legal terms, anyway. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed.
Can You Apply to the Court?
Yes and many do. Grandparents can apply to the Family Court for permission to seek contact. You need to do that first. It’s basically the court saying, “Yes, we’re willing to hear this.”
And in most cases? They’ll say yes, particularly if you’ve been a regular part of the child’s life — helping out with childcare, doing school runs, babysitting, or just being there as family.
Once permission is granted, you can then apply for what’s called a Child Arrangements Order. That’s the legal route to getting contact properly recognised.
Will the Court Take You Seriously?
Absolutely — if it’s clear you’ve had a meaningful bond with your grandchild, and it’s in their best interests to keep that relationship going.
The court will want to know:
- What role you’ve played in the child’s life so far
- Why contact has stopped
- Whether reintroducing contact would be positive and safe for the child
They’re not interested in punishing parents or rewarding grandparents — it’s all about the child’s wellbeing. If your presence is likely to support that, the court will take a fair and open-minded approach.
Is There a Way to Avoid Court?
Yes, and we believe that it is worth taking this approach if possible. Before you apply to court, you’ll usually need to attend something called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (or MIAM for short). It’s a chance to see whether mediation might help get things back on track without going through a full legal process.
If emotions are still running high in the family, it might not work — but sometimes, just sitting down with an impartial mediator can open the door to contact being restored, without anyone needing to go through the court system.
We’re Here to Support You
Losing contact with grandchildren is one of the most painful things a person can go through. You’re not being unreasonable for wanting to stay involved – and you’re not powerless either.
At Lund Bennett Family Law, we’ve helped many grandparents take the right steps – whether that’s through mediation or a legal application. If you need some advice, or just want to talk it through, give us a ring on 0161 924 0079 or head to www.lundbennett.co.uk.
We’ll listen. We’ll guide you. And we’ll help you figure out what’s next.