It is my understanding that every state now has some form of grandparents visitation rights.
With what I have read it still seems to be very different in every state because the judges that hear these cases interpret them all differently.
As far as I can tell this is the only way they can be done because they are all different.
Any time visitation is granted it must be proven that it is in the best interest of the child and this burden of proof lies with the grandparents.
Having a record of this relationship can help when you go into court to help you prove that there was one.
It may seem weird to make a list of the times you spent with them or things you have done together but it may be a necessary one to help you establish your relationship to the courts.
keeping these records can be as simple as keeping a day journal and recording things as they happen or have happened in the past as you remember them.
There are many complications that grandparents can encounter when it comes to visiting with their grandchildren.
If you already have an established relationship with your grandchildren gaining visitation may be easier.
If you are not seeing your grandchildren on a regular schedule you may want to make use of your rights.
It can be very hard for a child when they have a relationship with a grandparent and then that relationship is broken.
This can create feelings of disappointment in the child and you want to have a grandparent relationship that is regular to set up trust with the child.
Clearly, some kind of uniform state law is needed but that is not the case right now.
So even though it can and will be emotional and financial costs will be involved grandparents should go to court if that is the only way to resolve the issue if they can not work out visitation with the parent or parents.
Grandparents legal rights to visit with their grandchildren are there if you can prove the relationship.
In summary: The first thing you need to do is start making that list of time you and your grandchildren spent together, whether they have lived with you at any point and for how long.
If you have baby sit the children while parents worked or helped in whatever ways.
Establish the relationship so it can help the courts to see that there has been one.