Custodia

A sibling or step-sibling can file a petition to ask the court for visitation with a child. The judge will hold a hearing where the child’s parents can be present. To allow a sibling or step-sibling reasonable visitation rights, the judge must decide that all of the following are true:

• Visitation is in the best interest of the child;
• The sibling is a “fit and proper person” to have visitation;
• The sibling couldn’t visit the child during the 30 days before filing in court because the child’s parent or guardian didn’t allow it; 
• The sibling has no other way to see the child without a court order; and
• The sibling showed evidence that convinced the judge the parent’s refusal of visits was unreasonable.¹
   

¹ RI Gen. Laws § 15-5-24.3(b)