In October 2023, Ashely—a loving, devoted teacher, mother, daughter, sister, aunt—was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. Ashley’s passing has left an immense void in the lives of those who knew her, especially her young son, whom she adored above all else. Her deep love for her son was mirrored in her strong, supportive relationships with her parents and extended family, all of whom were actively involved in her son's life.

Directly after Ashley's funeral it was clear her husband had no interest in allowing Ashley's parents time with their grandson. Ashley’s parents, who were affectionately called "Pa" and Grandma Goo" by their grandson, had a special, strong and loving bond with them—one that was nurtured by Ashley’s own loving relationship with her parents. This denial of access to their grandson has been devastating for both the grandparents and their young grandchild, who has now lost not only his mother but also all contact with his maternal family.

Ashley’s parents, unable to reconcile with the situation, sought legal counsel in an attempt to secure visitation rights. Despite providing substantial evidence of the ongoing, loving relationship they had with their grandson, the court ruled in favor of the surviving parent, denying the grandparents any visitation time. The courts have no guidelines when it comes to visitation for grandchild and grandparents.

This situation is not unique to Ashley’s family. After sharing their story, it became clear that other grandparents are similarly being denied access to their grandchildren after the death of their child. This injustice is an issue that needs immediate attention.

Ashley would not want this tragic separation between her son and her parents. We are asking for your support in making her voice heard and advocating for legislative change to protect the existing bond and relationship with grandparents and their grandchildren in situations like this and above all do what is in the best interest of the child. By signing this petition, sharing it on social media, and contacting your local State Representative, you can help us push for the change that is desperately and urgently needed.

Additionally, we are calling for revisions to Michigan’s MCL-Section 722.27b Section C to ensure that grandparents who had a close and ongoing relationship with their grandchildren prior to the death of their child are granted reasonable visitation rights. We propose that courts establish clear guidelines for reasonable visitation. We also propose that a “Guardian ad Litem” be appointed to investigate and provide recommendations to the court to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of the child.

Studies have shown that when grandparents are involved in their grandchildren's lives, those children benefit from increased well-being and fewer emotional and behavioral issues. Furthermore, grandparents offer unconditional love and teach family culture, traditions, and history, which are vital to a child’s development. From < https://helpmegrowutah.org/blog/the-importance-of-grandparents/> and 

 < https://helpmegrowutah.org/blog/the-importance-of-grandparents/> 

"Both qualitative and quantitative research support the involvement of grandparents in a child’s life after the death of a parent. While dynamics are unique to each family, involvement of a loving and caring grandparent(s) can provide a much-needed link to the child’s family of origin and aid with the grieving process. If a supportive and ongoing relationship between the child and grandparent(s) was in existence prior to the parent’s death, prohibiting grandparent involvement would be an additional traumatic loss for both parties. The rights of grandparents are an issue that must be addressed on the legislative level."  Jill Crossgrove, LPC, LPCS, LAC, LACS, CS -Trauma Therapist and Owner of Serenity Counseling Center, Blythewood, SC.

Please join us in supporting this cause. Sign the petition, share it widely, and contact your local representative to demand changes to the law. Together, we can ensure that grandparents' rights are protected and that children are not deprived of the love and support of their extended family, especially in the wake of such devastating loss.

Call to Action: 

1. Sign this Petition: Show your support for grandparents' rights and help us advocate for change in the law.
2. Share: Spread the word on social media and encourage others to join the movement.
3. Contact Your Local Representative: Demand action on this important issue by reaching out to your state lawmakers. You can find your local representative's contact information at: https://www.house.mi.gov/.   

We are purposing the following amendments to the MLC-Section 722.27b, Section C: 

• Clear guidelines for courts to award reasonable grandparenting time in cases when the child’s parent is deceased and a positive, ongoing relationship was existing by the child and grandparent prior to the parent's death. 
• Appoint a "Guardian ad Litem" (GAL) to assess the child's best interests and provide recommendations to the court. The GAL would complete the following: 
  • Speaking with and advising the child.
  • Interviewing the parent and grandparent (s).
  • Requesting additional evaluations (if necessary).
  • Presenting their findings to the court with recommendations.
  • Recommending a schedule of grandparent visits. 
  • Completing any other duties requested by the court.
• If the court needs a physiological evaluation to enter a ruling, then the order to obtain the evaluation should be made by the court.
• In addition to the order of grandparenting time awarded language should include to protect the visit time in the event the surviving parent relocates residency over 200 miles from the residence at the time of the order or across state and Country boarders.
• If an existing order was made without the component of a GAL or a physiological evaluation of the child a petition to the court can be made to re-evaluate.