Log in

View Full Version : Do I have the right to adopt my nephew


laura0909009
Jan 14, 2007, 06:17 PM
My sister and her winner boyfriend ( being sarcastic)
Are both drug addicts he's in prison again for selling/doing drugs
I heard that he is in for a good few years this time
They took my poor nephew to see his dad in prison since the day he was born
And then he got out of jail when he was like 3 years old
There missing with his head telling him there going to be a family again then he gets arrested and his mom shooting up with herion and is in rehab for it again
I wish she would just stop with all of the stupid nonsense get her life together
But if something would happen to her do I have the right to adobt him?
I want to adobt him now
I wanted to adobt him since the day he was born
Because of my sister running the streets leaving him at baby sitter's for days on end

But I have another question
Do I have to be rich to adobt him?

Fr_Chuck
Jan 14, 2007, 10:16 PM
You will have to apply to the court for custody, you will have to prove in court that they are unfit parents, It is not easy and will be costly.

chippers
Jan 14, 2007, 10:48 PM
Being in the situation myself with my niece and nephew years ago. I approached my brother (who wasn't doing drugs) and my sister in law(who was) and sat down with them without being judgemental, said I saw they were having trouble and offered to take the kids for as long as they needed. I asked for a voluntary custody arrangement and that allowed me to put them on my health insurance. I know each case is different but as fr chuck said proving them unfit is timely and costly. The mainn concern is the welfare of the child. He'll always see his mom as his mom and nothing will change that. But the fact you in your heart of gold has put him first and made him feel he is worth the effort will forever put you in his heart for god. I commend your desire to take on this responsibility. Not too many people would. I wish you the best of luck and give him a kiss for me.:)

s_cianci
Jan 15, 2007, 01:54 PM
You can only adopt him with the consent of the natural parents. IF you're concerned about his care should something happen to your sister and her boyfriend, they can name you as his guardian in their wills (assuming that they have the presence of mind to make out a will, which they probably don't.) If they were to die intestate, you could petition the court to grant you custody of your nephew. You don't have to be wealthy, just have to demonstrate that you have the means to take care of him.

jpmadison
Jan 21, 2008, 07:02 PM
Laura - my husband and I adopted my nephew and he's been with us for 5 years. Get a lot of advice. This is a very rewarding decision - but also a very difficult one. Both birth paretns are addicts and our son was severely abused and abandoned (depending on when or when they were not in jail). Our son has been in counseling for 5 years and it's been recommended that there is no contact with the birth parents. We have to do what's right for our son - but it's painful cutting other family members off. There are adoption and foster care agencies that can provide you with a lot of input and advise. Regardless of how hard this has been, I would do it all over again for the sake of our son. He is precious.