11yr.child been living with us for a year.do not have custody.Both parents in trouble with the law.?

Question

Our 11yr. old great niece has been living with us for a year.Both parents are in trouble with the law.And we do not have custody or anything legal for her.Really do not have the money for a lawyer.What should we do. She does not want to live with either of them because you can not keep up with where they will be and they both are addicts.The rest of the family says she is better off with us because we take care of her needs.I just want what is best for her and her parents will not sign anything for me to have legal say so in her life.I have never kept her away from her parents or other family members for the last year. I fill that we have been totally fair where she is concerned. Parents have not supported her physically, mentally, or financially.Before she came to live with me, my husband and three children she was rotated between family members a week here a week there. Thanks, JJ

Answer 1

Document things then show them to the local Judge. Call the Court House and ask what paper work you need to fill out to get temporary custody of a child whose (your sister/brother) has neglected or left with you. Legally, at least in my state; if a parent leaves a child with a relative for over 30 days, and make no attemtp to care for the child (bit more to it) then the parent has legally abandoned the child. You also have the right to claim the child as a dependant if she's lived with you all year (on your taxes). Basically your the caregiver, and actting parent. Show the judge you have the child in school, show reciepts for clothing, food, medical, etc. Have some other family members write letters to the Judge that stand behind what you claim. Also have them give you a letter of character (shows you are responsible and loving to the child). Be warned though, always the slim chance you could get a jerk of a Judge who calls in social services, or tries to put the child into foster care. Odds are as long as you want her, that he won't do that. People like you get custody all the time of relatives kids.

Answer 2

Do not worry.
Firstly, start gathering proof that she has lived with you for a year, school records, doctor records, witnesses, family members who support you would be Great.
Secondly, gather proof supporting your claim that the parents are drug addicts, arrest records, witnesses, anything you can find.
Thirdly, seek out pro bono aid, legal aid from the state, and/or county. Call and make an appointment with social services because in most states they do offer assistance with cases like yours.
Fourthly, You can severe parental rights since the child has been ABANDONED, neglected by the parents refusal to give shelter, food, and/or medical attention. The parents can lose their rights for this, and for being drug addicts.
Seek help from anywhere you can, churches, county assistance, even from Children advocate groups, call everyone you can think of to aid in your efforts because your niece needs to have the best chance at life to become a Wonderful Independent Healthy Individual.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

call your local juvenile crisis. Or go to your local police Department. You should of done this a year ago. You are going to need to have legal custody to put her in school, Dr's' everything. Her parents' aren't parents' she needs to stay right were shes at and that's with yous'! She needs a stable place to live and feel loved. Shes going to have a lot of problems later in life TRUST me I KNOW first hand!! I went through the same thing being bounced back and forth between my parents and finally at the age of 13 I was AWARDED to the STATE!! I was messed up until I spent 1 1/2 YEARS in JAIL AWAY from my 2 BOYS at the time!! I final woke up and CHANGED my LIFE and its BEEN 9 YEARS NOW!! If you need any help I am more then willing to help in anyway!! Here is my email [e-mail]

Answer 4

Go to Women's Resource Center; see about visit with legal aid pro bone estes. You should be able to become foster parents with a minimum of difficulty.

Answer 5

you're the two above the age of consent. you could desire to be sturdy. additionally look up "Romeo and Juliet" rules. you're slightly too previous for them, particularly, yet they defend people who're below a brilliant sort of years different than for statutory rape rates. i think of it is many times below 2 years yet returned, examine them for your self. the only subject you are going to have is your father :P sturdy good fortune and stay secure.

Answer 6

If you are in the US, seek legal aid and get guardianship for her.