One of the most rewarding things in life is watching a child learn and grow. It’s no wonder why some people want to pursue the visitation of a child, even if they’re not the child’s parent.
There might be a particular child in your life that you want to see more often, and you may be wondering if there are legal pathways to achieving that. The good news is that the State of Connecticut recognizes third-party relationships for child visitation.
What does “third-party” mean?
While the law does not clearly define what sorts of relationships are included in the third-party category, it does say that it should be similar to a parent-child relationship. Based on this requirement, the most common third-party relationships might be:
- Grandparent-grandchild
- Uncle-niece or uncle-nephew
- Aunt-niece or aunt-nephew
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a few quick examples. Other familial, caregiving, or otherwise nurturing relationships could all be recognized.
Harm to the child
Besides the nature of the relationship, another important thing the court will consider in deciding whether to grant visitation is harm to the child. According to state law, the petition for child visitation must contain specific, good faith allegations that denial of the visitation will cause real and significant harm to the child.
The court wants to know not only that your visitation with the child is in their best interest, but that they would be, to a certain degree, uncared for or neglected without you. The court will also ask that you provide clear and convincing evidence of this.
Seeking visitation
If you feel that you are entitled to the visitation of a child, it is strongly encouraged that you consult with an experienced family law attorney. This will ensure that you will have a strong case in court so that you can have the best outcome possible.