Visitation rights are typically granted to non-custodial parents and may include standing for which others?

• A. Grandparents
• B. Neighbors
• C. Uncles
• D. Friends of the child

Answer: (A)

Visitation rights can extend beyond the non-custodial parent to close relatives who have an ongoing relationship with the child, because the law aims to preserve meaningful family ties in the child’s best interests. Grandparents are commonly permitted to seek visitation or standing to petition for it, especially when access to a grandparent has been disrupted or when there is a strong grandparent–grandchild bond. In deciding, the court weighs factors such as the nature and duration of the relationship, the grandparent’s involvement in the child’s life, and the effect on the child’s welfare. Neighbors, uncles, or friends usually do not have standing to seek visitation since they lack the recognized relationship or statutory entitlement, unless a special circumstance creates a parent-like bond or a specific provision applies.