I am married with a 7 month old and my 16 yr. old cousin is 4 1/2 mos. pregnant and is scheduled for an abortion in 1 1/2 weeks. My sister (17 yrs. old) and I are trying to convince her not to do it and if this works I would like to keep that baby. Would that still make my husband and I go trought the costly adoption process or does she just have to sign papers and give my husband and I custody of that baby? This will all take place in the state of Texas. Thank you in advance.
2007-01-24 08:09:14 · 6 answers · asked by chiklatin_03 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I wouldn't be as costly since you wouldn't be paying adoption agency fees but you still need to contact a lawyer. An abortion this late could be dangerous and if you and your husband are serious about taking this child, your cousin should seriously look into this option. Many lawyers will give you a consultation free, all you have to do is call. Good luck and hugs to you for taking this miracle on.
2007-01-24 08:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as she is your cousin and you can keep track of her, you can easily get guardianship of the baby. My friend did just that, and she has had the child for 7 years now. She is still only the childs guardian but she was able to enroll her in school, take her to the doctor, etc. You'll have to go to court to have the judge give you guardianship. Do your best to convince her not to have an abortion.....at 5 months a fetus is too old to abort......
2007-01-24 08:14:14 · answer #2 · answered by been_there_done_that 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call a lawyer. It should be fairly cheap to draw up the papers and get the legal rights. I would, personally, prefer an adoption over guardianship. This gives you far more rights in case things go bad in the future.
2007-01-24 08:16:46 · answer #3 · answered by Medical Disaster 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll have to contact a lawyer. It won't cost nearly what a standard adoption does because there won't be any agency fees. You'll still have legal fees, court filing costs, etc. We were going to adopt a foster child in TX and the costs were about $650. Nothing close to a standard adoption.
2007-01-24 08:13:42 · answer #4 · answered by Get a life 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to hire an adoption attorney, and go through the same process, the homestudy, etc., get started now!!! It takes time for the criminal backround checks etc., Otherwise, you risk taking care and supporting your cousins baby for years until she "decides" that potentially she wants her baby back, and you will not have any parental rights. Good luck
2007-01-25 01:32:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To do it legal I would contact a lawyer and have him draw up some papers giving you full custody of the child. and have your cousin sign it. this way she can't come back in a couple of years and say you took the child from her and she wants the child back. good luck.
2007-01-24 08:15:38 · answer #6 · answered by misty blue 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋