I gave my mother temporary custody of my 3 children in May of 2005 because I was evicted from my apartment and didn't have a place to relocate at the time. Well since this time I have ebeen trying to get my children back and she has refused to do so. I don't know what to do anymore because I tried to keep it out of the courts but she has filed child support against me since she is receiving state assistance for the children. I don't think any of this fair because I can take care them without any of that. My children have also came to me about their grandmother being verbally and psychological abusive to them. I call the children services hotline and was told that it doesn't meet their criteria for an investigation. What should I do now?

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Originally Posted by stressnmidwest

I gave my mother temporary custody of my 3 children in May of 2005 because I was evicted from my apartment and didn't have a place to relocate at the time. Well since this time I hav ebeen trying to get my children back and she has refused to do so. I don't know what to do anymore because I tried to keep it out of the courts but she has filed child support against me since she is receiving state assistance for the children. I don't think any of this fair because I can take care them without any of that. My children have also came to me about their grandmother being verbally and psychological abusive to them. I call the children services hotline and was told that it doesn't meet their criteria for an investigation. What should I do now?

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You have no choice but to take her to Court - the Judge will evaluate the circumstances, determine what is best for the children, perhaps interview the children or appoint someone to speak with them, determine who should have custody.

If it's been over 3 years and you haven't gone to Court the Judge is not going to look kindly at your request.

Have you been financially supporting your children or does your mother do it all?

Have you been paying support for the last three years? If not the your case is even weaker because you are trying to prove that you can care for them but haven't been doing so for three years... that is a long time. You have no choice but to go to court. What state are you in? If we know that we can usually give more specific advice.