§ 1013 - Decision - Vermont Statutes

§ 1013. Decision

(a) The court shall grant the petitioner reasonable visitation or access to the grandchild upon determining that to do so would be in the best interests of the child.

(b) In determining the best interests of the child, the court shall consider the following factors:

(1) the love, affection and other emotional ties existing between the grandparents involved and the child;

(2) the capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection and guidance;

(3) the nature of the relationship between the petitioner and the grandchild and the desirability of maintaining that relationship;

(4) the moral fitness of the parties;

(5) the mental and physical health of the parties;

(6) the reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient age to express a preference;

(7) the willingness and ability of the petitioner to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parties; and

(8) any other factor which the court considers to be relevant to a just determination regarding visitation or access. (Added 1983, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), eff. May 9, 1984.)