Financial help for grandparents wanting to see their grandchildren

However, one of the less talked about aspects of family separation is the effect on the wider family. Very often this is handled very well and grandparents can play a big role in providing stability and a listening ear for children. But sometimes, the separations has ramifications which go beyond the parents and effect the wider family’s relationships with each other.

As with all emotional relationships, the feelings of everyone involved can be complex. However, rarely does everyone involved not want to do what is in the best interests of the children.

For this reason, grandparents are able to apply to a court for permission to apply for a decision as to whether it is in their grandchildren’s best interests to see them and taking into account all the factors in the family dynamics.

As a result, grandparents have to see a Mediator first for a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to work out if mediation is possible before issuing court proceedings. This gives the family the opportunity to see if the issues involved can be talked about in the presence of a mediator and the impasse unblocked.

Currently, both parents and grandparents who attend mediation are entitled to a £500 voucher from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) towards their legal fees. This Scheme has already helped thousands of parents stay out of the Family Court Justice System and it is hoped that it will help grandparents likewise.