[SUNNYDAYZ]

I had a little girl during a time in my life that I was caught up in some wrong lifestyle choices. During this time not only did the state get involved but her daddy and my husband at the time died. Within a week of her passing away the state came to me and told me thaat if I did not sign away my rights to her that they would not allow me to be a part of her life. Every thing in my head was swimming with the sudden loss of my husband and now my baby girl and I couldn't fathom losing her forever so I let them rope me into the unthinkable and signed the papers. Now I still can't see her. I have been clean and sober for four years now and am trying to find out is there any hope of me being able to fight the papers by showing the courts that I was not able to emotionally process what they were threatening and getting me to do due to my emotional state.

[joypulv]

First, where do you live?
Second, what specific rights did you sign? Not all such papers are permanent, and courts often do think ahead to a mother getting her life back, putting children in foster care and not allowing adoption until the mother signs off again.
You REALLY need to talk to a lawyer or legal aid group about this. They may be able to find you a pro bono (free) lawyer, or at least look at the situation for you to see if you have any options.

[Synnen]

You're just NOW starting this, FOUR YEARS LATER?

How in the world do you think it's in your child's best interests to rip her away from the only home and parents she's known? Do you REALLY think that would be the best thing for HER, and not just the best thing for YOU?

If you want to fight this, you NEED a lawyer. A VERY GOOD lawyer. Expect to spend your life savings fighting it. It's possible that it can be done, but frankly--your lifestyle choices were putting yourself ahead of your daughter at the time she was taken. You'll have to PROVE that you have HER best interests in mind when you take her back.

Good luck. The odds against you are astronomical.

PS--your best bet is to work with the foster/adoptive parents to have SOME part of her life, rather than expecting to get her back. You'll still probably need a lawyer for that as well, but you have a better chance of winning.

[AK lawyer]

... told me thaat if I did not sign away my rights to her that they would not allow me to be a part of her life. ...

And are you now part of her life?