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kokodee · Aug 14, 2008, 09:04 AM

I have guardianship of my three grands. I have had them most of their lives but legally since 1999. Their mother was a substance abuser who has now became clean not sober because she stills drinks. She has recently file for custody of the children they are 11.13,and 14 years of age. The two younger ones were born on drugs and they have issues which she is in denial of. The two younger ones are curious about how life would be to live with her which is fine. The older one who is 14 does not want to live with her because she does not get along with her mother. She does not understand why her mother wants her after doing nothing for her for 15yrs. Besides giving gifts at xmas and birthdays and a few dollars here and there. Their mother did not keep to her visitation days. She got them when it fit into her scheulde. My daughter who is their mother and I do not get along. I have tried to get her involved with their lives but,she turns me off. She relays messages through the kids telling them untruths. That is OK with me because she is bitter. We are going to court soon and I know that she will not let me see the kids, she has already stated that to them. Do I have any rights since I have had them from babies? Is there any way I can keep the oldest one who has stated she will run away. Also my granddaughter wants to talk to the judge is it possible?

kokodee

cjonline · Aug 14, 2008, 09:11 AM

Get an attorney in your area. Get one fast and fight hard not to let the kids go back.

Hopefully you kept a journal or something about the times their mom saw the kids or talked to them, what she paid in support, etc.

Has she already filed to regain custody or is she just saying that she will? How did you get the kids? Did she agree or did the court take them away? Where is their dad? Will he help you keep them or is he with her?

kokodee · Aug 14, 2008, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by cjonline

Get an attorney in your area. Get one fast and fight hard not to let the kids go back.

Hopefully you kept a journal or something about the times their mom saw the kids or talked to them, what she paid in support, etc.

Has she already filed to regain custody or is she just saying that she will? How did you get the kids? Did she agree or did the court take them away? Where is their dad? Will he help you keep them or is he with her?

She filed on 08/12/08. Ilearned this thur a visitation by the kids. I got the kids in 1999 because she was on drugs. I went an applied for guardianship. Their dad is around and perhaps he will help me. I gave him a call. My problem is that the younger kids want to go.The eldest has been with me most of her life and knows things about her mother that she does not want live with her. She say's it's been to long.She say's her mother puts her down. And she has mood changes often she does not feel comfortable there.

kokodee · Aug 14, 2008, 02:29 PM

Does the state of Pennsylvania have grandparents right

cjonline · Aug 14, 2008, 05:11 PM

Yes they do, however that in seeking visitation if/when the mom (or dad) has custody. I thought you were talking about keeping custody and that needs to be done in court.

Its not really about what the kids want or don't want, but what is safe and right for them. Is being uprooted right only a Judge can say that and even then judges are people and make mistakes. Personally I think it would be wrong to take the kids away from the only stable home they have ever had, however its not up to me. I don't have all the facts and/or the "proof" needed to say what should be done.

I will say if you want to keep the children then you need to get and attorney and fight with everything you have to keep them.