My cousins father just died and her mother doesnt want her. What can I do?

Question

My cousin is 14 and she is now in a adoption facality due to the death of her father. He father died 2 days ago and her mother was granted full rights. (he had full custidoy) Her mother doesnt want her and his new gf doesnt want her either. So, she is sitting in a adoption facality untill the funneral. What is the process for me to adopt her? I'm 24 and just bought my own house. I live there with my boyfriend but I just want her to be able to come and live with us instead of a adoption home. Can I just have gardian rights instead of adoption? What is the process and what do I need to do?

Her mother has signed over ALL rights to the state of Michigan.

We both are finically stable to take care of her and put her through college if necessary.

Answer 1

First you need a lawyer. It is impossible to answer this question because laws are different from state to state. Call a lawyer that will give you a free consultation and help direct you in the right direction.

Answer 2

I would say get a lawyer and get him calling the adoption place ASAP

Answer 3

Go to the Department of Family and Children Services in the state and county where the 14 year old is being housed. Tell them you are interested in adopting her and fill out the application to be an adoptive parent. You might want to get a lawyer who can get you temporary custody since her father just died. This is a long, hard road you have chosen, but God will see you through. I admire your strength and I will continually pray for you. If you want to email be for additional info, please do. I adopted my son and maybe I can help you.

Answer 4

you could ask the people at the adoption facility what the procedure is for adoption and all that it entails including if you have to adopt or can you just be granted a guardian status or what ever it is called. you could also look it up in the phone book...adoption help & services or something like that and ask as many questions as you can .

EDIT:

this link might help: Child Adoption Laws Michigan http://www.childadoptionlaws.com/child_a...

ther is a "contact us" link on the page so you can ask them questions directly as well

Answer 5

Get an attorney....immediatelly.

If she didn't want the child she should have signed rights over to you, not the state.

Good luck getting her out of the machine.

Go get a legal help asap!

Good Luck

Answer 6

Take it to the Court's ,maybe they will give you guardian rights.

just fight for what you want and believe in if you do that any thing can happen!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

sorry to hear that take her in as a foster child due to the fact that they will give you medical health and a pretty large monthly stipend for expences they will try to pressure you to adopt so then they will not have to give you anything forget that take the financial help the cause she will be eligible for all kinds of college assistance when shes of age and graduates from hs..... taking her as a foster child doesnt mean you love her any less it just helps you and her out financially dont forget her social security bank that in a trust fund for her and let foster care no that.... I hope this helps

Answer 8

If she is a Ward of the State you can contact her Caseworker (she should know who that is).  Tell them you want to have Guardianship of her her.  This way all you need is the background checks.  They will probably give you temp guardianship then you can get full guardianship or adopt.  But prior to the adoption you will need to have the Home Study done.  She will most likely be allowed SSI benefits also, this will defintely help with raising her.  Much l**k!

Answer 9

I think you're so great for considering this. She'll be fine as long as she's surrounded by people who care for her like you do.

On that note, I'd say you'll have to petition the state for parental rights. You'll probably have to get her involved, too, and she'll have to make a case as to why she wants to be with you. You'll have to go through the courts, and the first thing I'd do if I were you is hire a lawyer. It's a legal battle, and one will be required, so the faster you get one, and get a consultation, and all the fees paid, the less time she'll have to sit in an adoption home.

Good luck.. just remember - it'll all be worth it in the end.

Her mom sucks, by the way. Just thought I'd throw that out there! LOL.

Answer 10

If the mother has indeed already did a TPR, then I believe you'll need to deal with the social service/state of MI.  What you are looking to do is maybe called "kinship care" and I'd imagine you may be given some priority in her placement. I think contacting the proper authorities promptly is of the utmost importance.

Good luck with this process. Hopefully you can do the gaurdianship, but the CPS may favor adoption since i think they sort of recieve a "bounty" based on the numer they finalize.

Answer 11

Usually when a child is placed with the state and they want to find a home for that child they would rather place the child with a stable family member....I would contact a lawyer that deals with adoption issues to help you get thru this but I really don't for see any problems....Your cousin is very lucky to have you! If only there were more people like you out there our world would be a much more peaceful place to live!

God Bless You And All Who Are Involved With This Situation!!

Answer 12

i dont know how to answer your question but i couldnt help answering. ur so nice to be doing this for this person who i can feel is sgoing through alo tw/ her father dead and her mother not wanting her.  we need more people like you in the world. :) i wish you luck!

Answer 13

im not sure but please do something because thats so sad

Answer 14

How sad!!  It sounds like you should contact an adoption lawyer, they would be able to tell you what your options are.  Maybe you could get at least get temporary guardianship of her.  Good luck!!

Answer 15

I think you would still have to go through the adoption process it would just be easier because you are part of her family

Answer 16

I agree, getting a lawyer and contacting the adoption facility she is staying at are the first steps! I really wish you luck and I hope that you will be able to keep her with you!!

Answer 17

Wow! You are an incredible person. Well I agree with the comment below, you should get a notarized letter allowing you to be her legal guardian, her mother (step-mother?) signs it too. Since you are over 18 and 21, then I'm pretty sure you can do this. Again, you are a great person for doing this.

Answer 18

I would contact the state.  It may take a few phone calls.  Agencies will usually grant guardianship to family if they meet criteria.  It makes me feel good to know that there are still people out there that will do the right thing.

Answer 19

I am doing something similar, so yes it can be done! I am 20, and adopting my nearly 12 year old cousin. She lived in MI, and I live in FL. She was in the County foster system, which is likely where your cousin is. Here is how I got my cousin:

When her father went to jail, she was placed in foster care with her younger sister. They both had behavior problems and were moved together several times. Eventually they were seperated and that actually helped the healing process (they were both molested by their father). Now, appx. 6 years later, his rights have been terminated by the state and they were available for adoption. Because of the long removal from family, their current foster parents were given first "dibs" on adopting them seperately. The younger sister was adopted by her foster parents, but my daughter was not. Then, her case worked began contacting family, in order of closest relation (Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, Cousins by age oldest first), to find a place for her. Well, I am quite a ways down that list, but I was reached. Without heasitation I said absolutely! Because of the diff. states, I had to get a local case worker and adoption/family law attorney. I had a home study, and a mountain of paperwork before they even told her. Finally I was approved. Then, we had a 5 way call between myself, the attorney, both case workers, and my daughter. She kindof remembered who I was, but not right away. Then, I told her she was going to come to florida and live with me, and the phone hit the floor as she jumped (I assume) up and down screaming that she had a Mommy! I cried (happy tears, needless to say). Her MI case worker flew her down and stayed to sign some paperwork. I was now her legal guardian for a trial period of 6 months. There are many things that need to be done before I can fully adopt her. She has some behavior problems, and Reactive Attachment Disorder, but it is all worth it. She is a wonderful little girl that needed someone to love her unconditionally.

Sorry to ramble on, and I know that did not answer your question. I just thought I would share to show you that it can be done. I am younger than you, and not quite financially stable, but was still approved. What I would highly recomend doing is contacting her case worker and let him/her know you will happily take your cousin in. Also find a family law attorney. I even found one with a big heart that offered to do it "pro bono."

I wish you and your cousin the best of luck!

Answer 20

I dont know how to answer this question for you but i just want you to know that I think you are wonderful for what you are trying to do. I wish you good luck and hope it all works out!!!!!!

Answer 21

That's sad.  I see no problems for u getting custody.  Good luck ma

Answer 22

We need more people like you in this world!!! Try contacting a social worker... Or an attorney if possible... They should be able to help you out better than anyone on here... Good Luck and God Bless!!!

Answer 23

Sounds to me like you're doing everything that needs to be done. Things'll work out, because the state knows family should be with family. It's only logical.

My mother legally adopted her little sister, when her Mom died, but that was 50 years ago and probably easier to do then.