Could Someone Please Tell Me?

[sandi1927]

I am involved in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.  I am the grandma and have temporary guardianship of my grandchild.  The biological parents, who are young and never married are about to each terminate their parental rights.
When we went to court last for a modification, the other grandparent filed a petition for intervention asking for visitation and a GAL for child and parenting classes for all.  I responded with a "special exceptions" answer.
The judge overruled my special exceptions, (in writing, on the judge's report), and said he going to allow a GAL and parenting classes, but not give her visitation.  (He did not write a ruling in the report for her intervention, but said he was overruling it there at the hearing.)
According to the GAL, even if both parents terminate and I adopt, the judge will probably allow visitation for other grandparent.  
Question:  Can he do that if we legally adopt and do we have to abide by that order after we legally adopt?

[Lawmoe]

That is a good question and the answer in most states is "no."  However, I suppose there may be isolated state exceptions.

[janM]

Have you been to Grandsplace? Your post sounds familiar to one I saw there.

I know in my state (Ohio) the parties can agree to continued contact following adoption, but it is not enforceable. I believe this is the case in a lot of states.

I see no point in parenting classes when the parents are "quitting" and likewise don't see the point of a GAL either. Is the termination a recent development, since the hearing? I don't know if the judge's ruling on visitation would stick. Once you adopt, you are the legal parent and should have final say on who is involved in the child's life.

If you haven't been already, visit //www.grandsplace.com - it's a great place for those of us raising grandkids or relatives. It's for "grands" what this place is for parents and steps. Hope to see you in chat there.

Congrats on the upcoming adoption!