The non-custodial parent had visitation rights and declined them. after two years he wants visitation rights again. can they be granted?

Hi The non-custodial parent always has a right to see his/her children -- it is, however, a right not an obligation. The question is what is good for your kids.   Without any kind of relationship with their father for 2 years and effectively having been abandoned by him during an important part of their lives, it is normal for these kids not to want to see him. What i would suggest is this:   advise the father that the kids need a period of time to get used to seeing him again.   Have him make contact by phone or email first.   Have him work to open up the doors and get the kids to trust him.   If he won't do that, and he wants access out of the box after disappearing for 2 years, no court is going to force your kids to see him for parental access periods.  If he insists, let him go to Family Court and bring a petition for visitation.  You will oppose him only to the extent that a program needs to be put in place where there is an adjustment period for the kids to get used to seeing him again.  Let's see if he stays around.  He can't pop in and out of their lives either.   The FC judge likely would appoint an attorney for your kids to protect their interests too -- because, in the final analysis, it's what's good for the kids, not for him. Is he paying child support for these children?  If not, bring a petition to enforce his support obligations! Does he have substance abuse problems?  Bring them immediately to the attention of the judge.  Have the judge schedule random drug tests. The other option is for the father to go into family counseling with the kids.   See if a therapist can bring them together. The kids clearly don't trust their father -- for good reason.  Your role is to protect them from harm.  If the father is going to harm them emotionally or physically, then you need to make sure that the kids are protected. Hope this helps Ilysa Magnus