Hey guys,
So my husbands family (parents and sister) have been enstranged for 8 going on 9 years due physical & mental abuse. 8 years since we left their town and made a life of our own surrounded by loving family and friends. Throughout these past 8 years there has been nothing but harassment, verbal abuse down the phone line, threats to my family and our employers family because my husband wouldn’t move back to be closer to them. His father is very physically abusive, has given black eyes to my husband etc since childhood- I’ve even witnessed him bashing my SO over the head with a shifter all because his phone was broken and he couldn’t receive calls. When we left they said they didn’t want to know or hear anything about us if we got married and had kids etc.
Fast forward to now, MIL has suddenly out of the blue text hubby requesting she have visitation access to our son. We are both dead against this. She plays the victim card saying I ripped her son away from them - mind you he was 19/20 when he moved away. We expressed our concerns and said the trust has been broken and abused for way too long so no we will not allow it.
She then responded with well since you don’t want to do it the easy way, i will be taking you to court for grand parental rights!
Is this really a thing? And can they actually gain access given they are violent and abusive people? There’s no way in the world I want our son to be exposed to such toxic people who are also criminals and have been charged/sentenced for various offences.
9 Replies
They can try but given the history it won't go well for them.
They would have to prove that they already have a relationship with the kids. If they managed to do that they'd most likely get a few hours a month, supervised visitation. Which you could ask to be in a supervised visitation centre.
Its totally unlikely they will go through with it and they are just trying to frighten you.
It sounds like you have plenty of people who are witnesses to there atrocious behaviour and could write stat decs for you for court.
Don't stress. Block contact.
Highly doubt it
Thank you 😊 puts my mind at ease a little. They’ve never met our son and we’d both like to keep it that way. A lot of people know how violent they are and are more than happy to write stat decs for us if needed
LOL...
I'd be like 'Bitch, go ahead and try'.
I'd just ignore her, she sounds full of piss and wind. Given the history, no courts would grant access.
It is a thing but they will (99.9%) not have a chance in hell of getting it. The fact that they have had no access to your child, that they have a history of abuse and that there has been no relationship for so long majorly counts against them. It’s also incredibly costly - a lawyer that they see would most likely advise the that they are unlikely to win and not to waste their time.
However, they sound completely unhinged so it might be worth taking them seriously. I would consult a lawyer and perhaps get a formal “cease and desist” letter against the harassment. I would ask if friends/employers/anyone who has witnessed their crazy could write a stat dec/witness statement outlining what they experienced. Keep it factual rather than emotive.
Start a record if you haven’t already. Dates, times, screen shots of texts and emails, past things you witnessed. Hopefully it will be a waste of time but the better prepared you are the better it will be for you.
Lastly, do not engage her. Ignore all texts, emails, contact etc. I’d say block her but it might be better to have records of her harassment. Your behavior needs to be above reproach and that will allow her crazy to really shine.
Thanks, most of the time we just ignore it and leave messages unanswered and that really aggravates her. We have over 11 pages of records, dates, times and even police reports etc. so hopefully that’ll be enough
It sounds like you’ve got it well and truly covered. At some stage I’d find a good lawyer (more so that if she takes action you aren’t rushed and end up with a dud) and maybe have one consultation with them so that you have all your ducks in a row.
No way would I be letting them even have supervised visits. Physical and mental abuse is not acceptable at all. Do you have evidence of the physical and mental abuse? Use it in court.
It sounds like she’s bluffing but be ready if she does take you to court but by the sounds of it a lawyer would tell her you wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.
Cut all cantact from these people but if there is any abusive texts/emails keep those as proof.
You don’t need to have any contact and chances are their behaviour could worsen, therefore strengthen your case to avoid any contact with your son. He is so precious protect him at all costs.
Another thing you could do is get an AVO if their harassment continues and that would be great for your case too.
Good luck to the old hag *sarcastic tone here*
They could if they can prove they have an existing relationship with the child. From what you've said, she hasn't even met your kidlet.
Go have a chat with legal aid to make sure, but I don't think she has a leg to stand on.