C.A. 4th;
D070346

The Fourth Appellate District affirmed a judgment. The court held that great-grandparents were not equivalent to grandparents for purposes of standing to seek visitation.

Ed and Yvonne H. were the paternal great-grandparents of minors H.H. and J.H. Following the dissolution of their grandson Zachary's marriage to the minors' mother, Zachary was awarded reasonable visitation, and Ed and Yvonne were able to maintain their relationship with the minors. The minor's mother subsequently obtained a domestic violence restraining order against Zachary, however, which resulted in the termination of his visitation rights. Ed and Yvonne filed a request for an order modifying visitation and a petition for independent great-grandparent visitation under Family Code §§3103, and 3104. They also sought mandatory joinder as indispensable parties. The minors' mother opposed.