78 - The RIghts of Grandparents and Other Family Members to Kids
One of the things grandparents fear the most is being cut off from their grandkids. Often other family members such as aunts, uncles, and cousins, feel the same way. Some stepparents dread the thought of being denied contact with their step-kids if they separate from the parent of those children. When the Ontario government made changes to the Family Law legislation in 2021, it made it specifically possible for these non-parent family members to go to court and get orders to let them see, and even make decisions for kids.
In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains how grandparents and other important people to a child can ask a judge to make an order permitting them to have time with the child, and perhaps even decision-making responsibilities. He also explains the other consequences that can come along with those orders, such as a requirement to share personal information and even pay child support. The process is a little more complicated than it is for parents, but going to Family Court is definitely a family option for a person who was important in a child’s life to go to court to get an order to reestablish contact.
If you found this episode helpful, check out these other episodes on similar topics:
75 - When Can You Legally Stop Your Ex From Seeing the Kids?
73 - How to Give to Your Kids, But Not Their Spouse/Partners
70 - Do You Have A Duty To Report to the Children’s Aid Society?
68 - Will Your Ex Get Everything If You Die?
60 - Should You Take Your Ex To Family Court?
59 - Why You Won’t Get Custody of the Kids
23 - Why You Need a Will
12 - How Step Parent and Grandparents Can be on the Hook for Child Support
10 - Child Support in Ontario/Canada: Who Pays and How Much?
8 - How Your Heart Can Get You Into Financial Trouble - Step Children and Matrimonial Homes
Paperback available from:
The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available as a $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone and as a paperback from Amazon and better bookstores. Anyone who has to deal with issues related to parenting disputes, separation or divorce, or the financial considerations in those circumstances should rely on both this podcast and the book for easy-to-understand information and advice about how the law applies to their case and what are the best ways to address their concerns. The book also covers all the other related family law issues, such as parenting issues, child support, spousal support, property division and restraining orders. To get your copy of the book, click on the picture of the book above and to the left.
Thousands of people tune into the Ontario Family Law Podcast to get valuable pointers on family law, divorce and separation issues. Please feel free to share this podcast with your social network using the sharing buttons below. The host of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman, is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, practicing in Toronto. If you would like to contact him, either call 416-446-5847, email us, or fill out form below and click “send.” To book a consultation, at a reduced rate, use this form.
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