Walker v. Blair
2012 Ky. LEXIS 179
| Ky. | 2012Background
- Blair, grandmother, seeks grandparent visitation with B.B.; Walker, mother, opposes; trial court grants visitation.
- Court of Appeals affirms; Walker challenges, arguing improper standard and weighting of the parent’s decision.
- KRS 405.021(1) governs grandparent visitation; Troxel v. Granville limits state intrusion on parental rights.
- Lower courts applied pre-Troxel King/Vibbert framework; Vibbert adopted a modified best‑interest standard requiring clear and convincing evidence.
- Court holds King is superseded by Troxel; requires presumption in favor of fit parent and a higher burden on grandparents to show best interest.
- Case remanded for new evidentiary hearing applying the modified best‑interest standard; Baker v. Perkins overruled to the extent inconsistent.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proper standard under Troxel and Vibbert? | Walker: trial court erred by not applying parental presumption with clear weight. | Blair: statute should be interpreted via Vibbert’s modified standard. | Yes; apply modified best-interest with parental presumption. |
| Did trial court rely on King and Baker in error? | Walker: trial court relied on now-invalid pre-Troxel authorities. | Blair: lower courts should apply Troxel/Vibbert framework. | Remand for new hearing; those authorities overruled where inconsistent. |
| Should visitation be denied or limited given mother's objections? | Walker: presumption in favor of mother should negate visitation absent harm. | Blair: clear and convincing evidence supports visitation under Vibbert. | Remand to determine best interest under modified standard. |
| Motion to dismiss appropriate? | Walker: Blair cannot seek visitation under (1) because deceased father; dismissal warranted. | Blair: petition properly filed under (1); not required to seek (3). | Trial court correctly denied motion to dismiss. |
Key Cases Cited
- Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (U.S. 2000) (parents have fundamental liberty interest; presumption in favor of fit parent)
- Vibbert v. Vibbert, 144 S.W.3d 292 (Ky.App.2004) (modified best interest standard; clear and convincing evidence required)
- Scott v. Scott, 80 S.W.3d 451 (Ky. Ct. App. 2002) (grandparent visitation over objection requires heightened showing)
- King v. King, 774 S.W.2d 129 (Ky.App.1989) (grandparents and parents on equal footing; not compatible with Troxel)
- Baker v. Perkins, 957 S.W.2d 269 (Ky.App.1997) (parens/parenteal considerations; later overruled where inconsistent)
- Dotson v. Rowe, 80 S.W.3d 447 (Ky.App.2002) (predecessor discussions leading to Vibbert standard)