A Rhode Island Family Court judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking visitation rights for the parents of a deceased woman on April 23, 2026 [1].
The ruling reinforces the legal authority of surviving parents to determine who has access to their children, even when facing pressure from extended family members.
Scott Naso, a single father, won the case after a legal battle that lasted two years [3]. The lawsuit was filed by the parents of Naso's late wife, who sought court-ordered visitation with his daughter. The proceedings concluded one day before the anniversary of his wife's death [2].
Judge Felix Gill dismissed the case, stating that visits were not in the best interests of the child [1]. The judge's decision followed the introduction of a secret recording [1]. "This was a tragic case," Gill said [1].
Naso expressed the emotional toll of the dispute following the hearing. "I'm very emotional and am just trying to keep it together here," Naso said [2].
The victory marks the end of a prolonged conflict over the child's upbringing and the boundaries of grandparental rights in the U.S. legal system. Naso's legal team indicated that the case may have broader implications for family law. An attorney for Naso said the legal team wants to take the issue of grandparents' rights to the Supreme Court [2].
Under Rhode Island law, courts typically weigh the best interests of the child when determining visitation. In this instance, the evidence presented led the court to conclude that the requested visitation would not benefit the minor [1].
“"This was a tragic case."”
This ruling underscores the high legal threshold grandparents must meet to override a fit parent's decision regarding visitation. By citing the child's best interests and reacting to specific evidence like a secret recording, the court reaffirmed that parental autonomy generally outweighs the desires of extended family, potentially setting a precedent for similar custody disputes in the U.S.
