Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

A little background information. My family raised my little cousin [Teresa, 10] on and off since she was 3 months. She's been in a psych hospital and there is a lot of things that connect back to her mom [Shary]. For a good while, my family and I had legal temporary custody of her, signing papers every 90 days. One day last November, Shary just picked up Teresa and left. We have witnesses saying that Teresa is being mentally abused, being called "dumb", also threatening her that she can't see her family.

We have not been forceful or have exchanged any harsh words, as Shary is not completely mentally competent and has the maturity of a 16 year old, to the point that if we did speak our minds and hearts, she would hold her daughter against us.

Is there anything that we can do, or is there anyway that we could at the least find a way to get a psych evaluation. We would obvioiusly love nothing more than to adopt her, but i'm looking at it one step at a time to find the right solution.

Thanks so much!


Asked on 3/21/10, 6:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Shimberg Shimberg and Crohn, P.C.

The mom has a right to custody of her children. While the child was in your possession you should have comenced a gurdianship action. But that is now water under the bridge. She is she will consent to a guardianship of the child.

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Answered on 3/31/10, 2:19 pm


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