last resort arrangement order

Are there any other success stories out there from gp getting to see their gc via the court?

Musicman that's wonderful to hear and makes me wish we had pursued it, however after 9 years I guess we left it too long we kept hoping and praying our daughter would change her mind and we didn't want to lose her.

We kept sending gifts cards all these years despite 2 born never seen.
My daughter was going to bring up my history of depression and all sorts of muck but From what you said allegations have to be proved.

My gp said at time that wasn't a good enough reason.

However my dh really didn't want any fighting in court.
Sadly we not even been allowed photos of little ones.

I am so pleased 2hrs a month is something
.
Was it your daughter or son who denied contact if u don't mind me asking?

"... in fact we didnt celebrate the result."

I'm not surprised, MM. "2 hrs a month" - probably way less than you wanted. Iv read this before, grandparents going to court and getting visitation but still being a bit disappointed with the result.

"... better than nothing."

I'm glad you appreciate that! Enjoy every minute!

Just thought I'd post part of my pm to musicman:

This makes me even sadder that I didn't get permission to ask for visitation rights, after going to court 3 times. I didn't get a visit from social services, but was involved with Caffcass, as is required.
Like you, I am just a normal grandparent, no drink, no drugs, I live on my own with my little dog, so no reason not to see my beloved GC. You seem to have sailed through, fairly easily, so well done you.

I didn't see any reports and didn't see their statement, yet they saw mine! Seems I was very unlucky as well as unlucky with the third judge I had.

As I've already said musicman, I wish you much joy & happiness with your beloved grandchildren xx

everyone gets emotional on cases like this. we represented ourselves. my advice. Know the law and childrens rights. keep evidence of everything. dont rely on phone calls. make everyone know you have admissable evidence. (apart from the judge.he wont be interested yet). read everything. highlight things that are not right in reports. these are legal docs and should be 100 accurate.keep calm. dont ask for much. our is 2 hrs a month. better than nothing. in fact we didnt celebrate the result.

its up to the courts to decide if there is a genuine reason not to allow contact. it is for the grandchildrens good and upbringing to see their extended family. as long as there is no risk to the child. the law has changed this year. if you are good and honest grandparents then there is every chance to win the fight. social services have to prove if there is a risk or not. its their report that is the game changer.

Congratulations musicman! But Iv rarely heard of a gp visitation case being resolved that easily. You are very lucky!

A gp seeking visitation isn't seen the same as a non-custodial parent seeking it, I don't think. Parents have a better chance. So the poster whose ds is trying to get a contact order has a better chance of seeing her gc again (through ds), imo, than most gps do when they file themselves. Idk for sure, but that's what I think.

And even then, from what Iv heard & read, these cases are often drawn out, Suzi. Imo, you'll need to expect that. You, also, nannynoo. Musicman's quick success is very unusual, as far as I know.

Yoga - just an opinion here - no concrete knowledge on my part - but I imagine a lot depends on the details of the case and whether there are things that can be proven or disproven. If the parents make accusations that can be measured - alcohol abuse, for example - like in musicman's case, those can be investigated and disproved. But if the parents say, for example, the gp favors one gc over another or undermines their parenting, or something like that, how can that be proven? So I imagine then, the judge just goes by what the parents say. Idk, of course, but I think something like that happened to you, especially without a solicitor there to help. So sorry.

Suzi and nannynoo, hoping for the best! And same to the gp whose ds is seeking visits (sorry, forgot your name) and anyone else here I might have missed!

Many congratulations musicman

Why not me

Congratulations musicman, will you all be able to go to the contact visits, your other daughter and her husband as well? I do hope it all goes well.

At last success. Been to final hearing, Judge awarded grandparents contact order for initial 2hrs at contact centre for 3 months and then 2hrs every month in the comunity. all allegations against us not proven by way of social services visit. To all grandparents. never give up.

Someone said that they are not in our world, but their own little cut-off world from normal life, so therefore little understanding!

It just feels that even though we have brought our own children up to adulthood that we are under the microscope, but we are the ones that know our children's characters good and bad. I certainly wouldn't be doing this just to piss everyon e off, we do it to be there for our grandchildren as we have seen the neglect or harm they have been through. Why can't the court see that xx

Musicman I had all my papers prepared for the 3rd court hearing, but the judge told me to put them all away and not to read them! Think she had already made up her mind the outcome. I also took photos, to show how close & loving a little family we were, before all this, which included my other D, her sister, wasn't allowed to show those either!

Thank you Suzi xx

Omg I just hope for your sake either your daughter comes to her senses or that your gd will come to you when she can. It's so hard for us parents when all we do is support our children only to be kicked in the teeth. Bless you and live with hope in your heart.

My D&GD lived with me, we had a very loving & special bond. My D met & later married, he lived with me too, I had no probs with him. They moved into their own place when D was expecting their son.

I & the rest of my D birth family were cut out a few years later, for no other reason than jealousy. I went to court, didn't have a solicitor, but now realise one is definitely needed! I was told the judge would see right through my nasty narsistic s.i.l, but she didn't. I went to court 3 times, first they didn't show up, second they contested, third the judge refused permission to go to court for a visitation order to see my precious GC, especially my GD, whose name had now be taken from her and replaced with his GM name! Not her first name [which I chose with my D] but her middle & last names, being the same as my own,

In the court room, my s.i.l lied the whole time, this was the third judge and completely unsympathetic, I would say not a mother or grandmother. I wish I hadn't gone to court now, made it a thousands times worse, also, as I've already said, a solicitor is vital, as they talk-the-talk.

I haven't seen or heard anything of my D&GC in 5yrs now!! My GD went from being the most loved, adored & cherished little girl in the whole wide world, to being an unloved stepchild in a family of heartless.....[not allowed to say the rest, or my post will be pulled!]

I wish you all the best of luck

We are in Devon. ...
put a page together of bullet points, in date order so judge and you will find it easier to refer to specific times, you need to write a statement of intent outlining why you should have contact, try not to be emotive, be proffesionals and clear and you will be fine, you can always get a mckenzie friend, look them up they help and support you in and out of court and are about 30 hr, a god send for us at mo just being told we are doing fine has given us a well needed boost. Xx

hi just an update. court set for next week. have written 4 page statement. letters from family, and work references.copies of emails, text messages and facebook messenger. it seems to be that the court knows nothing about myself and wife. its all a bit one sided. we dont have social workers or any of that for us. it feels that we are on trial. i am approching it that way to defend us and our reputation. i hope we get a chance to submit our statements etc during the hearing.

Imperfect - where are you ?????

Bless you hun, we have to hang on for the sake of the next generation our grandchildren xx

I feel for you Suzie please keep in touch and let us know how you are going , can't say much right now , having a pretty bad day myself x

Well so I got leave that's a positive step, now I need to write a statement of intent, eg why the girl will benefit from contact with us, before we enter court we will be trying to negotiate a contact plan. If an agreement is made the judge will record and order it. If they refuse any contact we will need to go for PR, difficult but with the evidence I've amassed it should be straight forward. Everytime I start writing and having to think about the girls I end up a jibber in reckon, 8 weeks ends up being 12 till the court date 23rd Nov, this is agony ... on the plus side we are recording the rest of the families doings and can sort them all out after. Xx

Omg why can't the kids just see the bigger picture... you can pay £10 and your local police can give you any police reports against you or a another person. You can also get your Dr to do drug tests and supply paperwork for them. Keep fighting do not give up for the sake of your grandchildren it proves you care xxx

we have been to court but caffcass hadnt been in touch so was adjurned. had the awaited phone call today. both of us accused of being alcoholics. drug takers and beating my daughters from previous marrage. both are grown up with families. never heard so much rubbish. now we wait for our new court date.seems like it could end up a slanging match in court. not by us

Yes but the girl never go out and as for school that's a long way of for nursery as they contact lying stop them going anywhere. They need stimulation and interaction with others but I do take your point on board xx