Another Subpoena Post...

[Cat Herder]

Seems like the point is moot and already decided in Tennessee. Dad should not need you to give a statement.

"In Tennessee, can visitation rights be awarded to non-parents?

The State of Tennessee has laws in effect that may enable persons other than the natural parents to be granted visitation rights to the child. If you are in an unconventional situation, you may want to research the law to learn about any applicable scenarios, such as:

1. If a parent with visitation rights becomes deployed or called to duty out of the state, that parent may petition the court to have another family member excise the awarded visitation rights, while the parent is away (TC § 36-6-308).

2. Step-parents may be awarded visitation rights with the child if it is in the child's best interests and the step-parent is providing or contributing to the support of the child (TC § 36-6-303).

3. A grandparent (or grandparents) may be awarded visitation rights to a child if they meet certain criteria, such as having acted as the child's caregiver, if a parent is deceased, or if the disruption of an established relationship would be detrimental to the child(TC § 36-6-306).

Anytime visitation is awarded to a non-parent or guardian, you may account for the time the child spends with the person in the child visitation schedule. "

[Alwaysgreener]

I can think of so many situations, as a mom, where I should have a say over what my kid does and how she's fed, taken care of etc...that grandparents have zero right to interfere with.

It is not the same as parents rights, she did not have guardianship. It is more like court ordered visits at grandma's house, that's it. My sister could move where ever she wanted too. MIL would have to come to them to see my nephew.
MIL had to follow my sister rules on raising my nephew. MIL was not allowed to cut his hair, she had to take him to my sister's church and so forth or she would lose her visits. The visits are to allow the child to still see and get to know the other part of their family when a parent is unavailable too.