The question does not disclose whether or not a divorce of the child's parents are involved. There ARE precedents in NJ law which allow grandparents of children whose parents are divorced to see them.
What is more unclear is whether this right also extends to grandparents who are simply estranged from the married parents of their grandchildren.
It is suggested that you seek legal counsel to more clearly determine your options.
That is a state to state issue. Grandparents are being allowed to go into court these days and get rights though. I added a couple links for you to visit for more information. Hope this helps.
No. There are no such direct legal rights that benefit grandparents. The sole authority of a parent over their own child should always be paramount in the law. No other person can be allowed to break that right without just cause. Grandparents can report cases of abuse or neglect. They can attend the family group conference when allegations of abuse or neglect are being evaluated. They can petition for an order of guardianship if the case progresses to family court. They have no right to demand visitation rights or custody when there is no abuse or other problem present. See related link.
No. Godparents are not recognized as having the legal status to petition the court for visitation rights to minor children. That being the case, visitation of minor children would only be possible if the custodial parents voluntarily allowed it.
She has to be served. see links below
Being denied visitation or not, a father can petition for sole custody. The two situations are not related.
DNA testing can be done before or after a birth certificate is signed if there is any question about who the father of a child is or if visitation rights are being contested.
ABSOLUTELY. However if the grandparent has visitation rights ordered by the court, it must be addressed immediately in the custodial court and the visitation may be modified or removed. Primary concern should always be the well being and safety of the child.
Child support and visitation are separate issues. The non-payment of support would not prohibit a biological parent from being granted visitation rights. Any suspected abuse of a child should be reported to the state family and children's services (child protective services) to be investigated. If the investigation finds that abuse did occur or there is a possibility of it occurring, a judge can deny visitation or order court supervised visitation. Child support can be ordered by the court with or without visitation rights being granted to the non-custodial parent.
No but your sister have rights still and can still have visitation. Both you and the cousin had equal rights in court.
Not enough information is disclosed as to what state is being referred to. The law on this subject is mixed. Some states DO have precedent cases which allow the grandparents of divorced individuals to have visitation with their grandchildren. However the law is much less clear on the matter of grandparents who are simply estranged from their still married children, and who deny them access to their grandchildren. Suggest you contact an attorney skilled in family practice in your state for counsel on this matter.
being deprived of the sense of sound
It means that the child will reside with one parent and the other parent has been granted reasonable rights of visitation.