Legal Question in Family Law in Alabama

Okay now my question, I have a brother that has a set of twins. His girlfriend was using drugs before she had my nieces (the twins). When my nieces were born I guess they found drugs in her system and my nieces system. I guess that's how you say it. ; ) But my brother's girlfriend was in another state, Louisiana, when she had the babies. We are from Alabama. We (my family) found out that she (the mother of my nieces) could not have the babies until she took classes. She did not take the classes. But my mother was doing what she had to do so that she could get my nieces. My mother did everything that they ask her to do so that she would be able to get my nieces. After my mother finish doing everything she had to do, she still did not get my nieces. They told her that the family (temporary adoption parents) had adopted them. So I am very upset about this because I have never seen my nieces. I went to Louisiana with my brother and thought I would be able to see my nieces but I couldn't. But my question is how are the temporary adoption parents allowed to have permanent parental rights when my nieces had family members that were willing and did everything that they were suppose to do have them? I really thought that my nieces next of kin were suppose to have them. It was not like they called my mother and told her that she could come and get my nieces because the mother could not have them. They were just taken without anyone notifying the family members of the mother or father of the babies. My mother or I do not have any criminal background records. I do not understand how they could just take my nieces. I really would like to know if this is allowed and what can we do to have my nieces in our life. And if we need a lawyer what or how much money will we need to save in a situation like this?


Asked on 2/25/10, 1:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

James Coleman Murchison & Howard, LLC

This is a question of Louisiana law, if that is where the children live. You and your other family members have no rights to the children, only the parents have parental rights. There is no such thing as "Grandparents rights" etc. The court might allow family members to have a relationship with children of relatives, if that relationship is seen as in the best interest of the children. You should seek a lawyer in the Parish (County) where the children live, and let him or her tell you how to best proceed and how much money you can expect to spend.

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Answered on 3/10/10, 2:34 pm


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