Client: Grandparents wanting visitation rights
State: California

If the child has an adoption pending by the stepfather, can we still ask for visitation rights for the grandparents? Someone told me that we can't proceed until the adoption proceeding is complete, but couldn't back it up with the family code. Any help would be much appreciated!

i don't know in ca, but in alabama, the gp filed a motion to intervene during the court proceedings to terminate rights and stepparent adopt in order to file for visitation.
make sure that the state the children live in has gp visitation laws and talk to a good lawyer versed in adoption and grandparents rights

No. Grandparent visitation suit may NOT be brought after a step-parent adoption.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/californiastatecases/s101836.pdf

I don't think you will be able to anything about seeing the grandchildren, unless mom is willing to let you see them.