Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

legal rights to non blood related child

Somewhat complicated. We obtained guardianship over a 12 year old boy 18 years ago. We knew his mother & the law was not able to prove neglect but had enough petty charges against the boy to put him in a juvenile center. We obtained guardianship with a simple letter from a lawer and appearing before the local judge. He now has a 3 year old daughter that stays with us most weekends (we are Grandma & Papaw) his birth mother is trying to come back in to the picture - she had almost no contact with him in the past 18 yrs - we realize now that we actually have no legal rights to the little one if something should happen to her mother & father. Is there a form they could complete or do we have any alternatives in obtaining legal rights to the child? Both her parents have stated to us that they do not want the birth grandmother to have the child.


Asked on 9/17/07, 10:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: legal rights to non blood related child

You need protection for now and in the event that both of the baby's paretns pass away. An attorney can draft the appropriate documents to show the parent's preferences. Usually, a court will respect those wishes, assuming that there are no character issues with you.

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Answered on 9/24/07, 5:51 pm


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