I have a neice who is 6 years old. her mom, I hate to say, is not a very good person. when she was a baby, I and my other sibs bought all her food, diapers, everything. we babysat all the time, sometimes days on end, I mean we practically raised her ourselves.
so this summer, my sister dumped her daughter off at a friend's house and left her there for a whole month. now that friend is thinking about suing for custody. and my stupid sister doesn't care. is there anything I can do.
2006-07-23 16:05:51 · 31 answers · asked by cirque de lune 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Well in a situation like this, you have to think about what is best for the child. It obviously sounds like her mother is not what is best. However, if your worried about the friend gaining custody, you or another family member that is an adult can gain custody instead. In family matters like these, the courts usually rule in favor of the child staying with family.
However, I think the friend is just trying to do the right thing. Obviously many people see the harm that is coming to this child. You should support whomever you can to make sure the child's best interests are met. If your not old enough to support a child, or unable to do so, then do what you think is best for her.
God Bless and I hope everything turns out OK for your niece.
2006-07-23 16:11:42 · answer #1 · answered by chalis913 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Suing for custody? A non-related person? GOOD FREAKIN' LUCK with that. No court would award custody to basically a stranger. She is delusional and out of her mind. So she took care of her for a month, big deal, that means nothing.
The child could be put up in a foster home, not that crazy other btchs home. Otherwise, if you sister would like other family members to take care of her, she has the authority to grant this. It sounds like that would be a great option. Help the girl, and get her away from her useless mother at the same time.
Again, a friend suing for custody? Please, that is 100% NOT going to happen, the judge would laugh her right out of court. That is the craziest thing I have ever heard of.
2006-07-23 23:14:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what state or what country you are in, family law differs somewhat from state to state. However, you may be able to sue for custody yourself and you could have a better chance at winning than the friend because you are family.
Other than that, there really isn't much legally. You can't force your sister to own up to her responsibility and raise her child. It is a sad but true fact of life. If we could do that there would be many more parents who would be accepting their parenting responsibilities.
You may have a legal chance, though, to keep your niece in her own family.
Good luck.
Oh, if you don't have the money for an attorney, check with legal aid (in the phone book or on-line for the national number) or check with your state's bar association for an attorney who will help you pro bono or at a discounted rate. The American Bar Association's Young Lawyer's Division does some work, you can check there too.
Finally, check with some child advocacy groups and even shelters and hotlines for battered women and children. They often have tons of legal resources.
2006-07-23 23:13:52 · answer #3 · answered by fotojunkie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the friend won't have legal standing, and the kid could end up in foster care. The little girl needs to be with a relative if custody is to be questioned.
The courts can be overly sympathetic with a stressed out, (yet irresponsible) parent. There has to be solid evidence that she is an unfit mother.
Somehow try to make your neice feel that everyone wants her, not that she is being discarded by a sad mother.
2006-07-23 23:10:35 · answer #4 · answered by Love2Sew 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Courts would much rather give a baby to a relative rather than a friend of the moms who is not a blood relative. I think if your serious about this, you should get a lawyer......but be prepared...its gonna cost a lot. To have a child taken from you and your parental rights terminated you have to prove that the mother is unfit. I mean proof....not speculation. Its a long and crazy process....my friend has been through it twice and has two adopted sons now. But she went through hell to get those boys. Nobody will get custody of the child if the mother cannot be proven unfit. good luck.....
2006-07-23 23:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by AstonishingAries<3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK i work with this woman who was in almost same thing but it was her grandson her boy had left him at a Friends and didn't care if they took him or not so she went and got him now she has custody i would say do whatever you think is best for the child if it was me and could do anything about it i would try and get custody. I wish you good luck
2006-07-23 23:13:40 · answer #6 · answered by Kathy S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Some people should not be parents. Obviously, your sister is one of them.
I'd consider suing for custody if I were you. Your sister is selfish and is not thinking about her daughter. At least she would be in the family. In fact, kudos to the friend who stepped up.
Talk with a family lawyer about what parental rights you might have, and talk to your sister about relinquishing her parental rights. Good luck!
2006-07-23 23:13:18 · answer #7 · answered by kellygirlaj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on what you've written. It is clear that she did not spend enough time with her own daughter to bond with her. Mothers need to bond with their children. Changing diapers, staying up all night with sick babies, buying food, going to the doctor...etc. are all essential experiences that lead to bonding. If you and your other siblings were doing all these things, it is not a surprise that your sister has not bonded with her own child. To answer your question, always think of what's in the best interest of the child. Is having an ineffective parent (your sister) in the best interest of this child? I think not. Is the other parent a healthy grown up? Do you have a good relationship with him? If yes, work out a visitation plan. Good luck to you. :)
2006-07-23 23:13:44 · answer #8 · answered by MrG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, get a lawyer and sue for custody yourself. You have a better chance of getting the child because you are a blood relative. If you have written down times and days for when and what you did while she was growing up, that would probably help. But get your attorney tomorrow morning.
2006-07-23 23:10:16 · answer #9 · answered by mom of girls 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I'd call Child Protective Services. A family member should take custody of that child before a friend.
Is there anyone in your family willing to raise this child besides her lousy mother?
2006-07-23 23:08:23 · answer #10 · answered by Cookie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋