We are considering taking on legal custody of 15 yr. old who's parents don't want him. He is my sister's son and therefore we are aunt and uncle. We feel that the biological parents should be responsible for the legal fees involved with the custody process. Is it reasonable to expect this and is it enforceable if so?

Fr_Chuck

It is reasonable to think they should, not not realistic, if they cared for thier son they would be taking care of him to start with.

So why you should think they should, the main concern should be the well being of the child,

So I would expect them to, but not be surprised when they don't

CaptainForest

There are 2 questions here.

1) What should they do morally
2) What do they HAVE to do legally

They don’t have to pay for the legal bills. If you want to go to court and get custody of this child, good for you. But, that is your choice, and it will cost YOU money. And the legal bills of an uncontested adoption will be nothing compared to what it costs to raising a child.

As Fr Chuck said, if they were good and reasonable people, there would be no need for you to even be trying to get custody.

s_cianci

It might be reasonable to expect but probably not enforceable. If you choose to file for custody of your own accord then you're going to have to pay the resulting fees. Not that you should let that stop you from filing but keep in mind that not too many parents are going to help pay for you to take away their kids, whether they "want" them or not. Of course, if you do get custody, the biological parents will have to pay you child support.