[care4kids]

We were told children placed with us were soon to be up for adoption. All professionals involved were "behind us". Now, ninemonths after the children were placed, we are told a relative that gave these children up three times, is going to most likely get the children back. Do we have a chance if we fight legally to win against a relative?

[riley6]

Each state is different. If I were you I would check with an adoption lawyer.

Some states allow the foster parents to file defacto parenting status. That can be done after six months in some states, a year in others. It also depends on the ages of the children in some states.

Some states allow older children to have a voice in court at age 12, other states the child has to be 14.

Do the children have a GAL or CASA worker that you can talk to, who will advocate for the children? I would check with them to make sure DCFS is going to be doing a homestudy on the family member to make sure that person can provide for the children and don't just want them for the money they might be able to get from them.

Good luck! It does a child no good to be bounced back and forth. They must feel so rejected by leaving the family member's home three times already.