my poor neices are in state custody for the second time. the first time the mother lost her rights and this time my brother lost his. the state is just giving me the run around. won't tell me any court dates or anything and i don't speak to my brother anymore so no help there. my husband has a felony that he got when he was 18 and they say that is way they won't let us do the paper work to get them. we can't have any of our own so we would glady take them and love them. if anyone would can tell me anything to try i would be very thankful.
2007-07-30 19:34:15 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adoption
i know where they are they have been there for 10 months. it is social services that said i couldn't do the paper work because of my husbands felony ( which was for buying a stolen 3 wheeler.) the bank account isn't a probably. we already have rooms set up for them because they lived with us until my brother took them 2 years ago. and i would talk to him if i had to but he won't talk to me. said he would do what he could to keep anyone else in the family from getting them. i have tried everything i know. talked to a few lawyers and none of them really want to take a case against social services. we are able to take care of the girls, we have two cars that are paid for our house is paid for and i don't work so i would be home with them.
2007-07-30 20:02:02 · update #1
i am in arkansas.
2007-07-31 15:22:45 · update #2
You can try writing the judge involved in the case. Or, you can show up at the court hearing and ask to speak. Or, you can have an attorney call the legal department of Social Services.
Chances are, that they already have the girls in a foster-adopt situation and are planning the adoption. Especially since this is the second go round for the parents. You must consider that -- if the girls have been with the same family for a while now, then they are likely bonding with them.
If you have a close relationship with the girls, you might have a chance. But if you do not, then they will probably look at you as they would any other adoptive parents. And depending on what state you live in, the felony of your husband could be against their adoption laws altogether.
Some people have tried going ahead and getting a private adoption homestudy done, approved, and showing up with it at the next court hearing. Or mailing it to the judge. It is a gamble, and costs money, but may help.
Those are all my ideas. Good luck!
2007-07-30 21:35:19 · answer #1 · answered by Still Me 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who are they that you are saying will not let do any paper work. Is this social services. ?
Do you know where your nieces are.? Like were they are living.?
What you need to do is go up to the court house and find a clerk and ask that clerk how and where do you apply for custody of your nieces. Most county clerks can have you fill out what is called an affidavid that will go strieght to the judge. it will tell him that you want custody of your nieces and that you need his help to get it.
Make sure when you go in to court or have social servies come over to your home that you have all your ducks in a row. Rooms, things for the girls, which school they will go to, after things for them if you both work. A good bank account. things like that. A judge will be happy with that also.
You can also reguest visitaion with them. Until you can get them home with you.
Go over the heads of the people that say you can not apply. !!
With any custody you will need a lawyer so I would find one now and he/she may be able to do things for you that you will have a hard time doing..
In most case social services will want to put family with family.
And this felony that your husband got when he was 18 would maybe only matter is he molested or killed someone.
I would suck it up for a moment and talk to your brother. what ever needs to be done to get your nieces..
2007-07-31 02:49:01 · answer #2 · answered by LadyCatherine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you and your brothers broken relationship could have something to do with why the courts aren't allowing the kids to be placed with you as well as your husband's past felony. It's unfortunate, but your brother may have stipulated that they not be placed with you. Have you tried speaking to him to resolve past issues or atleast put them aside until the kids are taken care of? It really stinks that there are kids out there that have loving families that would do anything to get them and something as silly as a broken relationship or really ridiculous felony to get in the way. Our justice system is definitely NOT balanced or fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would recommend writing as many letters as your hand will allow to all state and local representatives. Also send letters to judge and several more to social services. Believe me, Social Services is way overrun and way understaffed. If you bug them enough you will get the attention that is needed to make this situation right. They would much rather resolve cases asap when a person becomes "bothersome"...just be careful not to step over the line into "harrassing".
Try also calling your local news channel to see if they would like to spotlight the story to see if anyone in your community could help. Probono lawyers or anyone. I would stop at NOTHING until you have your nieces with you...if they can't be with their parents, they NEED to be with someone close to them. My heart goes out to you and if there is anything I can do including starting a petition online somehow, I will do it! FOR THE CHILDREN!
2007-07-31 18:19:17 · answer #3 · answered by goddesswithin13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry for your situwation. It must be hard. I don't know what to tell you other than that is stupid. You must be alot older so to hold somethinglike that against you that happen so long ago. I would say keep trying and don't give up. But make sure you are doing it for the children and not to just get back at your brother and to say haha we have the children. Good luck and wish you the best!
2007-07-31 10:24:11 · answer #4 · answered by mamato5Boys 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your husband can't get his record expunged then you probably stand no chance of getting the kids or adopting sorry. If you can get a GAL to see that you would be best for the kids then that might help but felony's are a big big deal when adopting. Good luck
2007-07-31 02:45:20 · answer #5 · answered by momof3boys 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try contacting Legal Aid for advice and God bless you!
2007-07-31 02:43:18 · answer #6 · answered by nan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what state are you in ?
2007-07-31 21:25:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋