When you’re under stress or having relationship difficulties, it can be tricky to remember what happened yesterday, let alone a week or a month ago.

However, if you’re thinking about seeking legal support to gain access to your grandchildren via either a contact or residence order, you’ll need to demonstrate that you play (or played) an active and supportive role in your grandchildren’s lives. Any evidence of a strong bond between yourselves and your grandchildren will mean the courts will look at your application more favourably.

This checklist is not a legal document in itself but it will help you provide the right evidence to your solicitor before they draft court papers to help you resume or maintain access to your grandchildren.

Grandparents do not have an automatic right to have contact with their grandchildren but courts do recognise the important role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. Any order will always be made in the best interests of the grandchild or children, which is why it is so important to understand the legal framework around grandparents rights and show the full range of support you provide. 

DOWNLOAD PDF: Grandparents’ rights: Contact with grandchildren checklist