
Quoting
Q.: We are having a family dispute and now our son and daughter-in-law won't let us see our grandchildren. What can we do?
A.: Probably nothing. Grandparents' visitation rights are statutory. There is no statutory right to a visitation order when the family is intact. Only children that are illegitimate, or have divorced or deceased parents may be the subject of court-ordered visitation. The reason is that generally, the right to be free from governmental interference in everyday life is a constitutionally protected right. Therefore, unless the State has some compelling interest (such as protecting a child that is illegitimate, has a deceased parent or is a ward of the court through divorce) it cannot order visitation.