Family matters are complicated. A wide-variety of things can cause family bonds to crumble, which is something that Illinois families understand. One set of grandparents intended to take their visitation claim all the way to the land's highest court, but their case was turned down.

The Supreme Court has not addressed issues of grandparents' rights since 2000, and it will not be doing so this year. A couple sought legal visitation rights for their two granddaughters, after being denied by lower courts. Several years ago, the grandparents had a close relationship with their grandchildren, but a family business dispute with the girls' father drove the family apart.

The grandparents' claims have been denied because they have not able to argue that there is a "compelling circumstance" that would necessitate court-ordered visitation time. Their home state is one of 18 that require such conditions for grandparents to be granted rights. Other states have more lenient laws governing visitation.

The Supreme Court's decision to refuse the case was the third time the grandparents have been denied the ability to visit the two girls. Officials from the high court did not indicate why they rejected this particular case. The 2000 Supreme Court ruling regarding grandparents' rights struck down a Washington state law that gave grandparents significant rights to achieve court-ordered visitation time, even if the children's parents objected.

Visitation cases, such as this one, can be very emotional. It's unfortunate that a disagreement escalated to this point and drove the family even further apart. When a sensitive dispute arises, it is important to try to settle the issue in an amicable fashion. Parents should work with other family members to forge a visitation arrangement that is sensitive to the welfare of their children.

Source: The Chicago Tribune, "US top court won't hear grandparents visitation case," James Vicini, Feb. 21, 2012