Visitation Cases in Massachusetts

On this page we are compiling links to the full text of important Massachusetts Appellate Cases on Family Law and Divorce decided by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

These cases are for educational purpose only and should not be used for any official or legal purpose. Please consult official reports. Below you will be able to search for Massachusetts Appeals Court Slip Opinions and Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Slip Opinions relating to Visitation and Grandparent Visitation.

Blixt v. Blixt: 437 Mass. 649 (2002). In a Complaint for Grandparent Visitation, the grandparent must show that the “failure to grant visitation will cause the child significant harm by adversely affecting the child’s health, safety, or welfare. The requirement of significant harm presupposes proof of a showing of a significant preexisting relationship between the grandparent and the child. In the absence of such a relationship, the grandparent must prove that visitation between the grandparent and the child is nevertheless necessary to protect the child from significant harm.”

Dearborn v. Deausault: 61 Mass.App.Ct. 234 (2004). A substantial, meaningful and nurturing relationship between a grandparent and grandchild is not the kind of relationship that failure to grant visitation will cause the child significant harm. If, however, the grandparent can show through "expert testimony or otherwise" that visitation is necessary to protect the children from significant harm, the grandparent may present such evidence to the court.

Visitation Cases

Massachusetts Slip Opinions - Massachusetts Appellate Cases - Visitation Cases in Massachusetts