Scott Naso, a widowed father in Rhode Island, has filed an appeal following a Family Court ruling that dismissed a petition by his in-laws for visitation rights to his 4-year-old daughter, Laila. Naso is now seeking to have the grandparents pay his legal expenses, which have exceeded $500,000 since the trial began in 2025.
The legal battle, which lasted nearly two years, pitted Naso against his late wife’s parents, retired physicians Dr. Siavash Ghoreishi and Dr. Jila Khorsand. The case centered on the Rhode Island law that permits grandparents to sue for visitation even over a parent’s objections.
Court Ruling and Dismissal
On April 23, 2026, a Family Court judge dismissed the visitation petition. While the judge noted that visitation would likely be in the child’s best interests, the decision to dismiss was influenced by a secret recording presented during the proceedings.
This was a tragic case
Judge Felix Gill
Despite the dismissal of the grandparents’ petition, the court did not grant Naso a total victory. The judge criticized Naso’s conduct during the litigation and imposed fines on him for violating previous visitation orders.
Constitutional Challenges and Legal Costs
Throughout the trial, Naso challenged the constitutionality of the Rhode Island grandparents visitation law. He argued that the statute violated his constitutional parental rights. This legal strategy led to an emergency motion before the Rhode Island Supreme Court in April 2026, as Naso sought to suspend the trial while the court weighed the legality of the law.
The financial toll of the litigation has been significant. Reporting indicates that Naso has spent more than $500,000 in legal fees. His current appeal seeks to shift the burden of these costs to the grandparents.
Case Timeline and Background
The conflict escalated into a formal trial in Kent County Family Court in Warwick, Rhode Island. Key developments in the timeline include:
- October 24, 2025: Testimony was heard from Naso’s father-in-law.
- March 5, 2026: Scott Naso testified against the granting of visitation rights.
- April 22, 2026: The grandparents rested their case.
- April 23, 2026: Judge Felix Gill dismissed the petition.
The proceedings were characterized by high emotional tension, with Naso testifying while wearing bracelets made for him by his daughter. The case highlighted the tension between state laws allowing grandparental access and the fundamental rights of a surviving parent to determine the upbringing of their child.