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I do know of people who have hired lawyers and successfully fought, so that is one option you can try if it comes to that. But I'd say you are usually fairly safe if you've had the child a while and he/she has formed a significant bond with you. The onus would be on the "long lost cousin" to really prove that they would be better for the child. Unless the judge in the case is totally out to lunch - and that DOES occasionally happen. My own experience is that the aunt who came forward after our fs had already been in care for 6 months was basically told to go sniff. Also - she lives in another city, and they don't like to move (especially older) kids out of their home communities.
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