My God Child was dropped off at my door two months ago because her mother (a good friend of mine) has lost her way again. What rights does a God parent have? Will I be able to enroll the child into school next year and if I start a Saving account for the child will the mother be able to get to the money if I but the account in the child’s name?
I have been thinking about this for sometime and i wanted to ask online before i make my next move.
Thanks to all that helps
2007-09-27 16:49:53 · 9 answers · asked by Black Beauty™ 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
You are going to need the child's birth certificate before enrolling him, also make sure the child has all their medical needs taken care of. Locate the child mom or dad, and found out his or her intentions for you. If you get really attach to the child, and then she wants the her kid back...Try to convince her that she can come anytime she wants to visit her child. I would hate to see a battle between you and child mom, especially in front of the child. You must know where you stand in the mother view.
You may want to contact the child protection agency in your area and find out what are your rights. You don't have to give them your name-speak of it in a third person form. Make sure that your name is the main signer on saving account, and I wouldn't share the news with the mother. Please trust me you are going create more trouble if she aware of the money. You're a good god-parent that child is bless to have you...God bless.
2007-09-27 17:09:44 · answer #1 · answered by tony 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Godparent has no special legal rights. But since the child was placed in your care, that is something.
You need to get some kind of documentation that you are caring for the child. If the mother would write a notarized letter authorizing you to act on her behalf, that would probably do it. Or you could try to get guardianship through the courts.
For school, you will need the birth certificate and vaccination records.
What if the child needs medical care? If you are keeping the child for any length of time, you should get these arrangements worked out.
I once cared for two godchildren for 6 months, and managed without a letter of permission for that long; and even took them to the doctor. I said I was their "guardian." (I didn't really know the meaning of the word at the time...) But they tell me the authorities would have caught up with me eventually, and I would have had to straighten out the situation.
I am thankful that you are caring for this child. If the mother doesn't pull her act together, you need to consider whether you will keep the child long-term or find another home, considering that children need a secure and stable home.
2007-09-28 02:50:59 · answer #2 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to speak with an attorney. As it stands right now, you don't even have the legal rights to make an emergency medical decision for the child. If you don't want to get CPS involved (which could put the child in foster care even though you are willing to care for her) then you need to get at least a temporary custody order. As to the savings account, talk to the trust department at your bank, anyone can set up an account the way they want it. You can make it where her mother cannot touch the money and the child will get it at a certain age.
2007-09-28 00:07:52 · answer #3 · answered by ophirhodji 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to speak to an attorney and find out. In order for you to have any real rights, the mother has to give up her rights. Then you would have to have the state assign her to you. As a god parent, there aren't any real rights, as it is just a title that a friend bestows on a friend to let them know how much they care about them. But, because this has happened in the past, you could have a case against the mother. If you do start an account with your funds, then the mother has no right to that money. As far as school goes, again, seek the advice of an attorney.
2007-09-27 23:57:48 · answer #4 · answered by Lee B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can open a savings account for her and not put it in her name. You know who the money is for and why you are doing it. That's all you need. And that way the mother can never get a hold of the money. In fact, if you are the one contributing to the account, you never need tell the child about it until you feel he/she is ready.
2007-09-28 01:18:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have no rights , the child has a father and he would have the rights before anyone unless he is in jail or something. You should however do something about this, like report her to children's services for neglect and let them know you would like to keep the child and see if they can help you with getting a court order to take her to court to get custody of the child. You can file for custody and take it to court . also if there is other family they could show up in court too and want custody,what about a grandparent, or aunt they may want to take the child also, family will be first to the judge you know. but if none of the famil want the child or the dad then you will have a better chance of getting custody! I wouldn't put any money in no one else's name , put it in your name and have it set up so if something happened to you it would go to her when she's 18 or so! you should file for a custody hearing though real soon, the mom can come get her child anytime she likes! it would be eaiser if you could get the mom to sign over custody to you !!if you can find her and get her to do it, let her know you need custody in order to take the child to the doctor and to sign her up for school and stuff, you can't do any of that right now without custody!
2007-09-28 00:05:25 · answer #6 · answered by monkeymomma46 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to get legal guardianship. My husband and I are raising our nephew and what we have is power of attorney given to us by his custodial parent but the problem is we have no rights, his father (custodial parent) can take him at any time and there is nothing we can do about it. It does allow us to enroll him in school and take care of his medical care.
My advise to you would contact an attorney and get legal guardianship, that will give you legal rights. As far as the savings account goes I think it would have to have her name on it for her to gain access to it but you need to check with the attorney on that.
Good luck and your God child is lucky to have you.
2007-09-28 00:04:45 · answer #7 · answered by sara 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless there were legal papers filed naming you as godparent and "next of kin", you have no rights. Call a lawyer and Child Protective Services.
2007-09-27 23:54:58 · answer #8 · answered by janicajayne 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
seek for legal guardianship
2007-09-28 02:57:59 · answer #9 · answered by SOMEONE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋