A year ago yesterday my step daughter brought our first grandchild into our family. In that time she has lived in 5 different homes (with friends, boyfriends & their families, etc). She does not work, has no means of supporting herself or the baby and she doesn't do the best at taking care of the babies daily needs. All of us have supported her, trying to help her get a job, and become self sufficient for her and for her daughter's sake.

Three months ago, she moved in with her Mom and we thought we had finally reached a point where we would not have to worry about the care of the baby anymore. Last night, the day of her daughters birthday, she announced that she is moving hundreds of miles away with a man she met on the internet about 6 weeks ago who also was just recently released from prison. Today, she left with him but we managed to convince her to leave the baby with the maternal Grandmother temporarily.

While we would like to hope she would come to her senses for her daughters sake, we realize that we now need to act to protect this baby.

Under the circumstances, how difficult would it be for the grandparents to get legal joint temporary custody of the baby until my step daughter gets her life in order.

We, by no means want to take the baby away from her. She loves her daughter, but we know that this life is not a good one for the baby. We all feel that she needs some help to get her life in order so she can be a good Mom.

My husband & I are going to meet with his Ex-wife and her husband tomorrow and need to discuss how we are going to handle this. But we really aren't too sure where to begin.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jennie

Sorry, I forgot to mention we are in NY.

Consult with an attorney. Depending on your local laws, it might be better to apply for temporary guardianship rather than custody. There is a legally fine line between the two, with guardianship at a slightly lower level so easier to get.

For a child to be living with someone other than the legal parent that person needs to be deisgnated guardian, otherwise they can't make decisions on the child's welfare.

An attorney familiar with your local family courts can advise you best on what the best course of action should be.

If obtaining guardianship is going to be contested by the mother, you shoould make a journal listing all the issues you have with the mother's care of the child.

Thank you, I hadn't considered guardianship. We will be making an appointment with an attorney but don't want to walk in blindly.

Good luck and keep us posted