Grandparent Rights Advocates

Arkansas Grandparent Rights

A grandparent or great-grandparent in Arkansas may petition a court for reasonable visitation rights for his or her grandchild(ren) if:

The marriage between the parents of the child has ended.

If the child is illegitimate and the petitioner is a maternal grandparent of the illegitimate child; or

If the child is illegitimate, the petitioner is a paternal grandparent of the illegitimate child, and paternity has been established by a court of proper jurisdiction.

There is a rebuttable presumption that declares a custodian's (most often, parents) decision of denial or limiting visitation to the petitioner (grandparent)  is in the best interest of the child.

(2) To overcome, the petitioner (grandparent) must reasonably prove the following:

Grandparent(s) have established a significant relationship with the child for whom he or she is requesting a visitation order; and

Grandparent rights visitation is in the best interest of the child(ren).

Proving an ‘established’ relationship with child by grandparent includes the following:

The child resided with the petitioner for at least six consecutive months with or without the current custodian present.

The grandparent  was a caregiver to the child on a regular basis for at least six (6) consecutive months.

Grandparent(s) maintained regular contact with the child for at least twelve (12) consecutive months; or

Any reasons that the loss of the relationship with the grandparents would be likely to harm the child.

GRA