[imbossie]

I Want full cusody of my niece will a judge give me custody? My niece is 6 years old I'v had her for the last 5yrs, my sister left her with me at 9months for about a 1year before coming back and trying too get too know her, my niece's father passed away when she was a few months old, my sister dose not have a stable house stay's with friends or with her boyfriend who is a drug addict. She dose what she want's party's and thinks she can come in her life as she pleases, I really can't say anything because I don't have custody of her and she threatns me of taking her from me when we argue, but I've raised her for the past 5 years she lives with me I have a deacent paying job, I provide for her, take her too the doctors when she is sick everything a mother is suppose to do, she knows me as mom & I want full custody of her but I don't want my niece too be taken away from me through the process what is the best way too go through this and getting full custody? Thanks for the help

[cdad]

You should have done this years ago. You need to go to court and get guardianship. How is it you can take her to the doctor ? You have no authority to sign anything for her.

[ScottGem]

Right, unless you were formally given guardianship, you have no right to sign anything related to her care. How is it you registered her for school?

I think there is an excellent chance for you to get guardianship and you NEED to do that right away. Getting custody might be a little harder and I would try for guardianship first and then custody.

You need to file a petition in Family Court for this. You can do this yourself by going to the court and asking the court clerk what forms you need to file. But it would be better if you engaged an attorney to act for you.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, you will need to get into court

[imbossie]

Thanks for the advice, but when she started school, my sister just came for a few days sign the papers and then went on her way and the doctors I told them I was her aunt and they let me take her, but I am going too go too the courts this week too the file for guardinship, I'm nervous I just don't want her taken from me that's my biggest worry she is my World, and I'm nervous once I start this process that she might come try and take her but its all in Gods hands but thanks for the advice!

[ScottGem]

The possibility exists and you need to prepare for it. The doctors are playing with fire here, normal treatment may be more lax, but if hospitalization is required, then you may have a problem.

Good luck and keep us posted.