§344.  Visitation rights of grandparents and siblings

A.  If one of the parties to a marriage dies,  is interdicted, or incarcerated, and there is a minor child or children of such marriage, the parents of the deceased, interdicted, or incarcerated party without custody of such minor child or children may have reasonable visitation rights to the child or children of the marriage during their minority, if the court in its discretion finds that such visitation rights would be in the best interest of the child or children.

B.  When the parents of a minor child or children live in concubinage and one of the parents dies, or is incarcerated, the parents of the deceased or incarcerated party may have reasonable visitation rights to the child or children during their minority, if the court in its discretion finds that such visitation rights would be in the best interest of the child or children.

C.  If one of the parties to a marriage dies or is incarcerated, the siblings of a minor child or children of the marriage may have reasonable visitation rights to such child or children during their minority if the court in its discretion finds that such visitation rights would be in the best interest of the child or children.

D.  If the parents of a minor child of the marriage have lived apart for a period of six months, in extraordinary circumstances, the grandparents or siblings of the child may have reasonable visitation rights to the child during his minority, if the court in its discretion finds that such visitation rights would be in the best interest of the child.  In determining the best interest of the child the court shall consider the same factors contained in Civil Code Article 136(D).  Extraordinary circumstances shall include a determination by a court that a parent is abusing a controlled dangerous substance.

Acts 1993, No. 261, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1352, §1; Acts 2012, No. 763, §2, eff. June 12, 2012.