| Grandparents' Rights |
by: Wyoming Legal Services - Casper Office
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| Q. | Does Wyoming have a law that lets grandparents visit their grandchildren? |
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| A. | Yes. Wyoming has a law that allows grandparent visitation.
To read this law, click here, then scroll down and click on Wyoming Family Law Statutes, then scroll to WS 20-7-101. |
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| Q. | Will this law let me see my grandkids? |
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| A. | It depends. This law allows grandparents to go to court and get visitation if:
It's in the best interests of your grandchild, and
The rights of the parents have not been "substantially impaired."
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| Q. | What does it mean for the parents rights to be "substantially impaired"? |
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| A. | That's a good question. In general, it means these things:
- Parents have the right to decide what is best for their kids.
- As long as parents are not abusing their children, they can raise their children as they see fit.
- If the court finds that your visitation keeps the parents from having this right, you may not get visitation.
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| Q. | How do I know if visiting my grandkids is in their best interest? |
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| A. | Wyoming law says that contact with grandparents is a good thing. But, you may not get visitation if:
- You abused your children or grandchildren
- You are unable to take care of your grandkids while they are with you
- You say bad things about the parents or do things to hurt family relations
The things that the court looks at in finding the best interest of the child are in WS 20-2-201.
To read this law, click here, and then scroll and click on Wyoming Family Law Statues, then scroll to WS 20-2-201. |
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| Q. | Is the Wyoming grandparents law still in use? |
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| A. | Right now, the Wyoming law is still use. This means that it does not violate the U.S. Constitution.
This may change.
The reason it may change is because a Grandparents' Rights law in Washington State was struck down.
The U.S. Supreme Court did not like the law. They said that it kept parents from being able to decide things for their children.
To read more about grandparents rights and understand the Washington case better, click here. |
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| Q. | But that's Washington? Will the Washington case affect my rights in Wyoming? |
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| A. | It could. This new case means that the court is most likely to side with you if the parents won't let you see your grandkids at all.
This case could make your case more cost more.
This is because you may need to hire a lawyer to show that your visitation will not "substantially impair" the parents' rights. |
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| Q. | Where can I find all of the Wyoming family law (domestic relations) statutes? |
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| A. | Wyoming domestic relations laws are located in Title 20 of the Wyoming statutes.
To read these laws click here and then scroll down and click on Wyoming Family Law Statutes. |
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