Custody

To decide if visiting with the grandparent or great-grandparent is in the child’s best interest, the judge will look at the following things:

• how the child’s relationships with his/her parents, siblings, and other relatives compare to the child’s relationship with the grandparent or great-grandparent asking for visits;
• how far the grandparent or great-grandparent lives from the child;
• the child’s and parent’s schedules and free time;
• the child’s age;
• the child’s wishes and concerns about visiting the grandparent or great-grandparent, if the judge interviewed the child about this;
• the child’s health and safety;
• the mental and physical health of all involved;
• if the grandparent or great-grandparent acted in a way that resulted in a legal determination (finding) that a child was abused or neglected;
• if the grandparent or great-grandparent was convicted of or pleaded guilty to:
  • a criminal offense involving any child being abused or neglected; or
  • a criminal offense where the victim of the crime was a member of the family or household involved in this case;
• the wishes and concerns of the child’s parent; and
• anything else that the judge considers to be in the best interest of the child.¹

¹ IA ST § 600C.1(4)