tazzygirl
Posts: 37833
Joined: 10/12/2007 Status: offline
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In this appeal, this court considers whether a circuit court may constitutionally award grandparents visitation with their grandchildren over the objection of the children's fit, natural,1 custodial parents without providing clear and convincing evidence that the denial of such visitation would cause the children substantial harm. The Alabama Grandparent Visitation Act The Grandparent Visitation Act (“the Act”), Ala.Code 1975, § 30-3-4.1, provides, in pertinent part: “(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any grandparent may file an original action for visitation rights to a minor child if it is in the best interest of the minor child and one of the following conditions exist: As construed by this court, in considering “the wishes of any parent who is living,” pursuant to § 30-3-4.1(d)(6), the deciding court must presume that the decision of a parent whether to allow grandparent visitation serves the best interest of a child and the court may award visitation only when the petitioning grandparent adduces clear and convincing evidence overcoming that presumption. See L.B.S. v. L.M.S., 826 So.2d 178 (Ala.Civ.App.2002) (plurality opinion authored by Thompson, J., with Pittman, J., concurring; Yates, P.J., and Murdock, J., concurring in the result; and Crawley, J., dissenting); see also J.W.J. v. P.K.R., 976 So.2d 1035, 1039-40 (Ala.Civ.App.2007). http://caselaw.findlaw.com/al-court-of-civil-appeals/1510154.html The problem with their case is that the state wanted the grandparents to prove their lack of visitation was harmful to the children. I dont expect the Ohio case to be revisited. The Supreme Court rarely does that. This case, I do expect to make it up there. Again, The Supreme Court had the opportunity in 2005 to take up the Ohio law. They wont do so with that case again.
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Telling me to take Midol wont help your butthurt. RIP, my demon-child 5-16-11 Duchess of Dissent 1 Dont judge me because I sin differently than you. If you want it sugar coated, dont ask me what i think! It would violate TOS.
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