Grandparents Raising Children Support Group
This community is dedicated to grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. In cases where the parents are not willing or able to provide adequate care for their children, grandparents may take on the role of primary caregivers. Join the support group to find support, share your experience, and get advice from other members.
I live in TN and am trying toget custody of my 4 month old granddaughter,Leah, in Ill,who is in foster care there.I already have custody of her 2 brothers,the oldest one will be 3 on 10/24 and the other is 20 months.She has been in states custody since June.I have been told that it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
My daughter[their mother]is sevearly mentally ill and is a proven danger to the children and I fear that they will give her back the baby.I have already sent copies of all the court papers from the boys to the case worker and have done anything else that she has ask of me.
Both the mother and father signed over their rights but recinded their decision as soon as they were told I wanted her.They don't want her but they don't want me to have her either.Apparently they had 30 days to change their minds by law.The case worker told me that as long as they spent as little as 15 minutes with her a month that they couldn't give me custody because I live out of state because that would limit their access to her.They only visit her once a month when they are given an hour per week.I was informed that I did have the right to hire a lawyer and file for custody but I have found that could cost anywhere from 6 to ten thousand dollars,and there is just no way I can come up with that much.
The mother is now pregnant again,this one is due in April before Leah will turn 1 year old in may.SHe told me that she would continue to have babies until they finally give up and let her keep one.Today she told me that the baby she is carring is more important than Leah or her sons.She has only seen Jose,the oldest boy,about 3 times and Jasin,the youngest boy she hasn't seen him since birth and I have no reason what so ever to beleive that she will be any different with Leah.
Please,if any one has any info on the laws in Ill let me know I am desperate to get this baby home with me and her brothers.
My daughter[their mother]is sevearly mentally ill and is a proven danger to the children and I fear that they will give her back the baby.I have already sent copies of all the court papers from the boys to the case worker and have done anything else that she has ask of me.
Both the mother and father signed over their rights but recinded their decision as soon as they were told I wanted her.They don't want her but they don't want me to have her either.Apparently they had 30 days to change their minds by law.The case worker told me that as long as they spent as little as 15 minutes with her a month that they couldn't give me custody because I live out of state because that would limit their access to her.They only visit her once a month when they are given an hour per week.I was informed that I did have the right to hire a lawyer and file for custody but I have found that could cost anywhere from 6 to ten thousand dollars,and there is just no way I can come up with that much.
The mother is now pregnant again,this one is due in April before Leah will turn 1 year old in may.SHe told me that she would continue to have babies until they finally give up and let her keep one.Today she told me that the baby she is carring is more important than Leah or her sons.She has only seen Jose,the oldest boy,about 3 times and Jasin,the youngest boy she hasn't seen him since birth and I have no reason what so ever to beleive that she will be any different with Leah.
Please,if any one has any info on the laws in Ill let me know I am desperate to get this baby home with me and her brothers.
Hopefully someone else will come along that may have some more advice.
I would certainly think that the fact that you have the siblings would count for a LOT. But I do know that in WI, they would not let my gs get placed out of state because of visitations. I still don't know if I could move out of state and I've been unemployed for over 10 months!
Hope you get the info you need. I can tell you this. A lawyer is your best bet. Don't know if it's possible without one. Wishing you all the best. It certainly sounds like being with you would be what was best for the child!
We did that -- it cost something like $150. I took copious notes as she told me what documents I needed, what my argument should be, what the opposition might say, what the judge might do, etc. etc. She said that if at any time during the hearing we felt we were in over our heads we could request an adjournment until we got an attorney. Sadly, the entire process was routine and we got custody.
Another thought: Are you permitted to form a relationship with the foster parents?
As to a relationship with the foster parents,I am only permitted to contact dfcs and my daughter.So that's a dead end too!
It's often amazing what they can get done, because they know people, and they're often owed favors because of favors they've done. It sounds sleazy, I know, but that's the way politics works. Best of all, you don't have to be a member of their party, although I'm sure they hope you'll vote for them next time around!
Thanks that is a great idea!!
Try searching out first, lawyers that specialize in family law and then ones that specialize in "alternative families". Give them a call and ask if they deal with alternative families, NOT divorce cases.
I hope you find someone!