[huskercheer]

Long story, will try to make it short. I have been the legal guardian of my great niece for 12 yrs. She is almost 13 yrs old. Her birth mother hasn't had any interest in her except for holidays. Out of the blue we received papers that she wants to cancel the guardianship and have my niece come & live with her.
My husband & I have devoted the last 12 years to this little girl. We are all devasted. We want to go to court & legally adopt her. We live in Kansas. How can someone after 12 years honestly say they care about someone to uproot this child???? Any advice?
We are calling lawyers but haven't found one yet that is an expert in this area.

[chickenrunshrek]

Find a lawyer who can handle this sort of case. You could start by checking with the State Bar in your state. They might be able to provide a list of lawyers who practice family law. Has Birthmom ever gone over one year with no contact? Where we live that is considered child abandonment and is grounds for termination of parental rights. How does your niece feel about all of this?

[huskercheer]

In Kansas all the birth parent has to do is send 1 card in 2 yrs. My niece is crushed. She doesn't want to leave us. Everyone agrees this stinks, but the law doesn't seem to be looking out for the childs best interest.

[motherofthree]

First off I am sorry to hear that some people only care for themselves but you should have no problem keeping her in alot of states a child 12 or older can consent to where they do and dont want to live the judge would be especially favored toward you and your husband as you have already had her for 12 years basically all of her life is she required to pay child support if so that could be the reason shes wanting her back, good luck

[Merdine]

Hello I'm new to this i just found out about this forum,and I am hopeing someone can help.....Well I have had my Neice since she was 2 day old. Her mother was in jail when she gave birth to Angel, then got out and Now is back into jail. she now wants to be mother, oh Angel is 6 months old now. She tells me she wants me to send her pictures and letters, but when we went to court. The Judge said i did not have to sned pictures. I was given Temp Guardianship of her we go to court again on Oct 6th and I am Afaird that i am going to lose her....Her mother sent Social workers to find me when she gave birth to the baby...and when i took her to court to get temp coust. so i can get her Med help, her mother looked and me and the Judge and said " i do not want Angel with her". I am confused on what i should do... I do know i will fight tooth and nail for Angel. See my sister has 2 other kids that are into Social Services now they are 11 and 8 and now i have her youngest, she never wanted to be in there lives and did not even try until she gets into Prison then she wants to be a mother. I took Angel because I am able to care for a baby now, I can not have kids of my own either so I said yes I would take her and care for her I know I did not give birth to her but I am her Mommy. Really can anyone help me plz i am so confused...I cry every night because i do not want to lose her. this is the only chance i can have a child what can i do..Her mother and Myself were both in social services so i know what it is like that is why i took Angel im still young and i droped everything to give to Angel and now her birth mother wants to take her away. so i am really helpless....PLEASE HELP ME....

Thanks,

[Loving Aunt]

We live in Ohio and just went through this. The guardian ad litem (the child's lawyer) told us that there is going to have to be a substantial change in MY home in order for my neice to gain custody back. We were awarded full custody until he is 18. The courts are going to look at the best interest of the child. She's been with you for 12 yrs. I don't think the mom has a chance in the world. Try to find an attorney that specializes in child custody.