Grandparents' and Great Grandparents' Rights
What is Maine's Law on Grandparents' AND GREAT GRANDPARENTS' Rights
19-A MRS §1803 states, "a grandparent of a minor child has standing to initiate and maintain an action for reasonable rights of visitation or access if: There is a sufficient existing relationship between the grandparent and the child; or any other compelling state interest justifies the court's interference with the parent's fundamental right to deny the grandparent access to the child.” This statute also stipulates the procedures and standards that apply to such actions.
19-A MRS §1802 defines a grandparent as, “a parent of a child's parent or the parent of the parent of a child's parent. 'Grandparent' includes a parent of a child's parent whose parental rights have been terminated pursuant to Title 18-C, section 9-204 or Title 22, chapter 1071, subchapter 6, but only until the child's adoption." This statute also defines “sufficient existing relationship.”
Effective October 18, 2021, a grandparent may request employee family medical leave in order to care for a grandchild who has a serious health condition (see 26 MRS §843(4)(D)).
Pine Tree Legal Assistance and Legal Services for the Elderly have compiled guides to grandparent rights.
Return to What's Maine's Law on...
11/22/2021 A-Z List
The Law and Legislative Reference Library provides this website for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an interpretation of the law, legal advice, or a legal opinion. There might be other statutes, rules, ordinances, or case law that are relevant to this topic. For advice on a specific legal matter, you need to contact an attorney.