What to do next
Document the existing relationship
Photographs, messages, records of time spent, involvement in school and care over time. The strength and length of the pre-existing bond is the single most influential factor.
Try mediation before applying
Family mediation is quicker, cheaper and far less damaging to the relationships you are trying to preserve. Court proceedings frequently harden positions permanently.
Understand how your province frames it
Some provinces expressly reference grandparents in their family legislation; others treat them as any non-parent seeking contact, sometimes requiring leave to apply. That difference affects your prospects.
Frame the case around the child, not the adults
Courts respond to what the child loses without contact, not to unfairness felt by the grandparent. Applications that read as a proxy for an adult dispute rarely succeed.
Frequently asked questions
Do grandparents have a legal right to see grandchildren?
Not a right as such. You can apply, and the court decides on the child's best interests, giving considerable weight to a fit parent's decisions.
What helps most?
An established, meaningful prior relationship that has been interrupted. Absent that, applications rarely succeed.
Do I need permission to apply?
In some provinces leave is required for a non-parent. Check what applies where the child lives.
Should we mediate first?
Almost always. It is faster, cheaper, and far less likely to entrench the estrangement you are trying to end.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws vary by location and every situation is different — speak with a qualified lawyer about your specific circumstances.