Check out some similar questions!

vegalynn · Jan 21, 2009, 08:51 AM

Does anyone know any details about gaining guardianship of a child?

startover22 · Jan 21, 2009, 09:02 AM

Adoption or Foster care?

Synnen · Jan 21, 2009, 09:14 AM

I think we all need more information about your situation and specifically you're asking about to be able to help you.

vegalynn · Jan 21, 2009, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by startover22

Adoption or Foster care?

I am caring for my nephew (4) and I just want something in place in case his mom doesn't want to take him back. I don't really know which way to go. Anything will help! He has been with me for three weeks now.

startover22 · Jan 21, 2009, 09:39 AM

Is she willing to give up rights? You can't just take it (guardianship) away. It is to be given to you. The state can take it away if she is proven unfit as a mother. THEN, you still have the father to deal with. What are the circumstances of the mother, why are you taking care of her child?

startover22 · Jan 21, 2009, 09:45 AM

I am sorry, I will be out for today. Please, if the mother is unfit to be a mother, then you need to call Child Protective Services, and tell them why. They will look into the case. That is not to say you will still be able to hold onto the child. You could request it, but it is literally all up to the people handling the case. Good luck!

ScottGem · Jan 21, 2009, 09:55 AM

As noted, you need to have guardianship affirmed by a court. Unless you are affirmed as legal guardian, you cannot legally make decisions about the child's care.

Again you are barely giving us enough info to advise you. Why are you caring for this child? Where are the parents? Whjat are the circumstances that he was given to you to care for. Only will full info can we advise on how to proceed.

vegalynn · Jan 21, 2009, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by startover22

I am sorry, I will be out for today. Please, if the mother is unfit to be a mother, then you need to call Child Protective Services, and tell them why. They will look into the case. That is not to say you will still be able to hold onto the child. You could request it, but it is literally all up to the people handling the case. Good luck!

The father, is in custody... He's not an issue. He hasn't been active in the child's life much at all. The mother is having some issues right now, I'm not sure of the extent of them. The father would sign over rights to me, so that's not an issue. I just want to be educated on options if they should arise? I just want to know what options are out there, and be informed on what the future might hold for this wonderful little boy. Thank you for your help.

vegalynn · Jan 21, 2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

As noted, you need to have guardianship affirmed by a court. Unless you are affirmed as legal guardian, you cannot legally make decisions about the child's care.

Again you are barely giving us enough info to advise you. Why are you caring for this child? Where are the parents? Whjat are the circumstances that he was given to you to care for. Only will full info can we advise on how to proceed.

Is guardianship something that is sought for by me, or the mother, or both? And do I just go to the courthouse and request paperwork, or how is legal guardianship obtained? I was contacted by the grandmother( his moms mom) to ask if I would pick him up from school on Monday. I did, and he stayed with me that night. He went home to his mom on Tuesday night, and he called me again on Wednesday to come back to my house, and he has been here since then-minus the weekends he goes to grandmas house because I work on the weekends. He talks to his mom on the phone sometimes, but he has expressed that he doesn't want to go back home, he wants to stay with me. I don't want to take him from her, I just want him to be safe and live to the fullest of his abilities. I just want him to be cared for and loved like he deserves.

ScottGem · Jan 21, 2009, 10:26 AM

Ok, what I would do is go to your local Family Services agency and explain the situation to them. Tell them you are willing to care for the child until the mother gets her act together. Ask them what steps you need to become his legal guardian.

Given the circumstances, this should not be too difficult. Both you and the mother may need to stand up before a judge to agree to the guardianship. But that should be mostly a formality.

vegalynn · Jan 21, 2009, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Ok, what I would do is go to your local Family Services agency and explain the situation to them. Tell them you are willing to care for the child until the mother gets her act together. Ask them what steps you need to become his legal guardian.

Given the circumstances, this should not be too difficult. Both you and the mother may need to stand up before a judge to agree to the guardianship. But that should be mostly a formality.

Thank you for your time, and help. I hope this will get us started on the road ahead of us. I will repost to let you know what happens, and if there is an outcome for my little handsome. Thanks again

ScottGem · Jan 21, 2009, 10:44 AM

Good luck and please do keep us posted.