Need to stop Child Protective Services from filing Permanent Guardiship for my daughter? They aren't helping!

Question

I did mess up and my mother filed papers to take custody, but now CPS is giving guardianship to someone else totally unrelated! What can I do? No money for an attorney! I am clean and going good and I at least want visitation with my daughter! Does anyone have any legal background or been thru the same thing? I have been extremely critical of myself so please, you can't hurt me anymore than I have been hurt. I need answers now. Thanks

Answer 1

I know exactly what you're talking about. My mother and I got custody of my nephew after my sister screwed up. He was taken from her, we had a choice: foster home or with us. I think its completely ridiculous to not put your child with family, that's her support system. You can talk with the social worker. Most social service departments (Department of Children and Families, Child Protective Services, Department of Children Society, etc.) their goal is reunification with the natural birth mother. We wanted to help my sister get him back until she started abusing drugs and alcohol again and married an abusive and violent piece of crap. Now we are struggling to keep him far from that, and they are pushing for him to go back, even after her 3 DUI's and domestic violence charges in the last 3 years. Every state is different, but hopefully someone at CPS can help you and you can start on the road to recovery and 'prove' yourself and follow the case plan. Unless they terminate your parental rights, you always have the right to petition the court for replacement. I wish you the best of luck!!!

Answer 2

Would help to know what state you're in. Here in Texas you might qualify for legal aid, it wouldn't hurt to ask. I was a foster parent for seven years, adopted my two daughters through them, and I can tell you CPS can be cold blooded towards parents who've lost their kids to them. I do know of a website that is full of information if it's still around, it was called 'CPS Watch' and they might know how to help. You could run a search and probably find them.
As far as the permanent guardianship issue, time is of the essence. Have they scheduled your hearing yet? Has CPS advised you of your rights? Have they tried reunification, and if they did, did you show up every time you were supposed to? I'm sorry to ask questions instead of giving you just an answer, but these are all factors to determine where you stand. If you give us more info. it might help us give you a better answer.

Answer 3

your best bet is too have someone take custody on your behalf. my sister has gone through this and there must be a very strong case against you...because if you dont use drugs -I've never heard of a mother being denied partial custody...havent the courts been working with you to let you know how too approve you and check your home situation...I hate to tell you this but unless you get a lawyer-your screwed.You were proved unfit at one time and no one has given the judge reason to believe you've changed. dont give up hope..I wish you well

Answer 4

i am sorry i'm not much help, in my experence, if you haven't lost your parental rights, then you should be able to tell them that you want custody given to your mother. maybe you can call legal aide, or look up on the net something that may help you. good luck and congratulations on trying to better yourself, i know it is hard and on here people are just going to try to bring you down, keep your head up

Answer 5

maybe try to a tempory order so you can prove that you are working through your mistakes and hopefully things will work out,i dont understand why your mom cant do this.

Answer 6

Please visit the site below to see if there is any information that may help you in your case. Good luck!