Iam raising my 4 Grand Sons. The oldest is 14, the twins will be 12 in July, The youngest is 5.They have been with me since the oldest was 15 months old. The oldest ones father died in 2001. The twins father and the youngest ones father has never seen or contacted them.

My daughter has been in and out of jail since 2000, She is now on her way to prison. What advice, forms, etc. do I need for her to relinquish her rights as a parent?

Thank you
Sondra K.

You have to formally adopt the children. If she AND the fathers agree her rights will be terminated. Otherwise you may get full legal custody and eliminate her visitation, but not terminate her rights.

However, if you try for adoption or even custody the fathers will have to be involved.

First off your going to need legal guardianship of the children. That way you are allowed to make decisions on their behalf and make medical decisions. After she enters the prison system then you may seek to relinquish her rights if she is in longer then they will be minors.

In the mean time if the oldest child's father worked for a period before his death then that child may be entitled to SSI as a survivior.

First off your going to need legal gaurdianship of the children. That way you are allowed to make decisions on thier behalf and make medical decisions. After she enters the prison system then you may seek to relinquish her rights if she is in longer then they will be minors.

In the mean time if the oldest childs father worked for a period of time before his death then that child may be entitled to SSI as a survivior.


Thank you, Yes the oldest receives SSI. I hve guardianship that she had noterised in jail back in June of 2008 on all boys will that help?

Thank you, Yes the oldest receives SSI. I hve guardianship that she had noterised in jail back in June of 2008 on all boys will that help?

Sure it helps. But you have to make it formal through the courts. At this point the one that you have is temporary and revocable. With the courts stamp on it then it will last longer. And won't be taken away so easily.

When posting a follow-up question or info, please use the Answer options at the bottom of the page rather than the Comments.

Notarization does not make a document legal. It only states that the identities of the signers were verified. Without court ratification, that document may not be worth much.