California court allows grandfather five-minute monthly calls, rejects mother's $17,193 fee bid

A grandfather who once helped raise his granddaughter for nearly two years found himself seeking court intervention to maintain contact with her after her mother regained custody. Although he requested regular visits, family dinners and weekly video calls, the court initially allowed him only a five-minute telephone conversation with the children once a month.

The dispute eventually reached California's Court of Appeal, where a separate question about legal expenses became the central issue.The ruling in Timothy S v. Sarah H, issued on November 3, 2026, by California's Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One, is available on Justia under case number D087153.

The appeal was brought by the children's mother, who wanted the grandfather to pay $17,193 in attorney's fees and legal costs she incurred while opposing his visitation petition.