Please i need serious answers i am lost on what to do....?

Question

ok i have a neice who is in a foster home she has been there for awhile i did not know until recently because her mom is my half sister and i have only met her twice in my life so we are not close but i am wanting to get my neice out of foster care to live with me and my husband as we are wanting a child together this would be a great oppertunity for us as well as my neice . i called dhr or the human resource dept but they will not talk to they tell me i would have to go to family court and get a petition from a judge , how do i do this . i cant to much afford attorney fees could i go wothout an attorney is there not a case worker i could talk to first i dont know how these things work . please anyone who knows help.

Answer 1

I would contact the family court and see if there are any family advocates that could help you with this process.

If your employed, ask your employer HR dept f they have an employee assistance program.  They may also be able to guide you through the process.

I would be careful as foster care is not the same as adoption.  It can lead to adoption but the goal is usually for a family reunion.  Is your half sister open to you adopting her daughter?  if not, it may be a long arduous process.

Answer 2

There are different laws in diffeerent states...where do you live?

Answer 3

A good case worker would want to place the child with family. Get with you half sister and get her to talk with that case worker.

Answer 4

I would keep calling until you reach your neice's caseworker.  Is there someone in the family who knows who the caseworker is exactly and how to get in contact with them.  

If parental rights have or plan to be legally terminated, then family memebers should be prioity for placement.  I would think all you would need to do to either adopt or become legal guardian of your neice is complete the same requirements as any foster or adoptive parent though your state social services.  These are usually offered for very little to no cost.

Answer 5

You need to talk directly to your niece's case worker. Do you have contact with her mother? If so, she should be able to give you a contact name and number. If not, call the local office of Department of Family and Children Services (or whatever it's called in your state).  Give them your niece's name and they should be able to get you in touch with her worker.  

Good luck!

Answer 6

In Alabama, you just need to file a petition for custody.  It costs around $100 or less.  I don't think you even need an attorney unless you are going to run itno problems with relatives or DHR.  However, I am also wondering why DHR has not done a homestudy and considered placement with you already.  By law, they are required to place children with relatives over unrelated foster parents.  Of course, the relatives have to pass the home study.  It might pay to read up or talk to someone you know who works at DHR, and find out more about the process.  I am still thinking you would be a candidate because you are related, provided you passed the home study  (and finger printing),