The Grandparents Rights Organization is a national volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 1984 by founder and executive director, attorney Richard S. Victor. It has been qualified as tax-exempt organization under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501 (c) (3). It’s purpose is to educate and support grandparents and grandchildren and to advocate their desire to continue a relationship that may be threatened with loss of contact or amputation, usually following: family acrimony; a child being born out of wedlock; the death of one of the child’s parents or the divorce of the grandchild’s parents.

Originally started in Oak Park, Michigan, the Grandparents Rights Organization (GRO) moved to Birmingham, Michigan where it remained until the national headquarters moved to its present location at 100 W. Long Lake Road, Ste. 250, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304. The phone number is (248) 646-7191. In 1991 Newsweek magazine called GRO "the nation’s largest" organization of its type supporting the rights of grandparents.

CURRENT STATUS OF GRO:

Since our organization is a nonprofit, volunteer organization, which uses the small membership fee/donation that is charged yearly to assist in paying our yearly overhead expenses, we are limited in the services, which we are able to provide on a national level, at this time. Go to the Membership link on this website for information on joining GRO.

Prior to the 2000 US Supreme Court case (Troxel) that forced Grandparent laws into much confusion around the country, our organization was able to put out a quarterly newsletter and magazine. But, unfortunately, since we have had to put all our efforts and financial resources into fighting very well funded political organizations that have been fighting against laws for grandparents and grandchildren, we are limited in the services we are now able to provide, without running at a substantial loss each year. Therefore, we have had to cut back on many of the benefits that we otherwise would want to provide to our members, such as our regular newsletter mailings and pro bono legal services. We have, though, placed many of our publications and updates on our website, which we believe would be a better way to reach more people at a lower cost. If you would like to see some of our articles, please access our site and go to the "articles" link on the left side of the home page at: www.grandparentsrights.org .

FUTURE FOR GRO:

Once we are able to help in overturning all the laws around the country that have been hurt by the US Supreme Court’s decision and are able to utilize our limited resources in a way to better serve the individual needs of our members, it is our hope and desire to return to doing the things and provide the services, which we had provided to our members for the many years we have been a nonprofit organization. Therefore, the future for GRO depends on the contributions received from individuals concerned in and for the rights of grandparents and on those people who wish to help us in this great cause.

WHAT GRO MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE:

Because each state must pass it’s own laws with respect to what rights a grandparent may have if they have been denied contact with their grandchild, each state has a different standard and requirement, which must be followed. Unfortunately, this may require the need for legal assistance if court action or a lawsuit will be required. Some states have laws, which are very favorable to a grandparent, while other states have laws, which require very strict burdens and or standards for a grandparent to prove, before they will be allowed to overcome the objection of a parent’s wishes, if they have refused a grandparent contact with their grandchild. GRO cannot provide legal assistance to grandparents on their individual cases, except in the state of Michigan.

When you join GRO, in addition to your membership card, you will be provided a copy of the law in the state where you have advised us your grandchild resides or where your matter may be pending. GRO members also receive a newsletter with information on how to find an attorney along with other valuable information. Members who contact our office and ask for the name of an attorney in their area, will be referred to an attorney, if possible, who is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a group of Family Law attorneys considered to be the most highly specialized and the best in the country. GRO does not receive any financial gain from this referral.

WHY GRO IS IMPORTANT:

GRO, through its membership, assists in educating the various state legislatures and courts around the country of the need to protect the special bound which exists between grandparent and grandchild. GRO believes that if death takes a grandparent from a grandchild that is a tragedy, but if family bickering or vindictiveness denies a child the unconditional love of a grandparent, then that is a shame. Please consider joining GRO and helping us with our fight to protect the grandparent/grandchild relationship. Go to the Membership link on this website for information on joining GRO. Your contribution to our cause is very much appreciated.

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