I have a legal question.My ex daughter in law gave me a notarized paper giving me temporary custody .?

Question

My ex daughter in law gave me a notarized paper stating that I have temporary custody until further notice.She lives in arkansas and I live in Texas.She is suppose to go into rehab so she can try and get her daughter that the state of ark.has had for a year.Well today one of her cousin came by to get the boys to go to church and then to a bbq.They were suppose to be home my 6:00 p.m. It is 11:00 and I have not heard anything from anybody.The cousin that they are off with is kin to the boys mother.He doesn't strike me as the type to run off with them and take them back to ark.but I could be wrong.Like I said I have the piece of paper saying that I have temporary custody of them until further notice If they are not here my morning what should I do?

Answer 1

definately contact authorities.

Answer 2

Talk to a lawyer

Answer 3

Children are not like the title of a car that you can just sign over to whomever you want! The piece of paper your daughter in law gave you is worthless.

The only legally recognized custody awards are those issued by a judge in family court. If you want custody then you will have to prepare a custody case and go to court. You would have to prove that you would be a suitable guardian. Expect to have to go through a lengthy legal process and spend considerable money on lawyers.

In the mean time, you could try phoning the cops, but as you have no legal responsibility or authority for the children, they may want to get in touch with the mother.

Answer 4

Call them, drive to their home, call other relatives, call the cops.

Who knows something may have happened to them all.