Over the last 20 years I have been criticized many times for not advising grandparents to go to court.
I still stand by my opinion, clearly it is just my opinion and if a grandparent decides to go down the legal route that has to be their decision.
It is vital that those who do go down that route, are aware of what could happen, by getting proper advice, not advice from some forum or other platforms.
I know that grandparents are desperate and will do anything to try and regain some form of contact with their grandchildren, and I absolutely understand, I always suggest that grandparents make sure they fully understand the process.
Let’s be honest, family estrangement, be that parents or grandparent estrangement, is big business, until the system changes, as long as there’s money to be made things will continue to bleed people dry.
Just this week I have heard from grandparents who have spent 60,000, 80,000 and over 100,000, going through lengthy legal battles.
All of these grandparents believed that justice would prevail, only to find that was not the case, not only are they all left with no savings but they also have not had a successful outcome, they are still unable to have a relationship with their grandchildren.
Of course the financial loss is huge,but the emotional stress is devastating, some say they will never recover from the ordeal.
I know there will be those who will say, “I needed to be able to show my grandchildren I tried everything,” and I get that as well.
Far too many grandparents are left totally battered by the system.
I obviously focus on grandparents but this is just the same for non resident parents desperately trying to regain contact with their children, it is beyond me why a parent has to go through this adversarial process just to see their own children.
The entire family law system is not fit for purpose and hasn’t been for decades, until the system changes thousands of children will continue to be denied contact with loving and caring parents and grandparents.
Who will they blame?
