I want custody of my niece. She is 16 years old and she no longer wants to live in her house. Her mother goes out and drinks and parties and comes home drunk. Her mother and stepfather are constantly argueing and being aggressive. I think that she will be better off at my house. I have 3 kids and my husband works I am a stay at home mother. She wants to live her but her mother will not allow her to. What can I do?

You file a Petition with the appropriate Court in your jurisdiction and prove that her parents are unfit, you are able to support and nurture her. If the mother will not consent that is your only option.

What state is this in ?

My 16 yr. old niece has moved in with me. Her father (my brother) passed away in 2010. Her mother still resides in NC.

Her mother let her leave and come live with us. However, I will need some sort of legal rights so I can get her enrolled in school, add her to my insurance and authorize medical treatment.

Her mother has already said she will not make this easy for us, so we will have to pursue her. With my niece being 16, she is old enough for the courts to take her desires into account.

I see that I need to file a petition, but I see numerous courts to choose from all listed under Tarrant County Courts, Family.

Can I get more clarification on where to start or go directly? I was told by the Social Security Office, this should be a simple process and something we can do without an attorney, either through Family Courts or even self-representation.