Turkish Supreme Court grants overnight visitation rights for grandparents

The 2nd Civil Chamber of the Turkish Court of Cassation has issued a landmark ruling regarding the visitation rights of grandparents. The decision stems from a case in Eskişehir where a grandmother and grandfather sought expanded access to their grandchild, born in 2017.

While a local family court had previously granted daytime-only visitation during specific weekends and holidays, the Court of Cassation ruled these periods insufficient for fostering meaningful family bonds. The high court emphasized that such contact is necessary for the child to grow in a loving environment and for the strengthening of kinship ties.

The new ruling establishes a revised visitation schedule: grandparents are permitted to stay overnight with the grandchild from 10:00 on the first Saturday of every month until 17:30 on Sunday. Additionally, they are granted a one-week overnight visitation period every year from August 1 to August 7. Daytime visitation rights during religious holidays and semester breaks remain in place.