Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

I am 48 years old and my 8 year old granddaughter has lived with me since she was born. My daughter, her mother moved out in 2008 and since then she used her as a tool to get from me what she wants by threatening to take her away from me. She is not a fit mother and the man she lives with has physically abused her as witnessed by other people. I live in Texas and I am on government assitance by way of housing and food stamps. The child in question I might add is ADHD and currently is on medication. I know this cannot be good for her this game her mother plays. I am wanting to know what I can do to gain custody and what my options are on a very fixed income.


Asked on 7/05/11, 7:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Daley KoonsFuller PC

Because your grandchild has lived with you for more than 6 months, you have the right to sue for conservatorship, which you should do. Contact the Texas Legal Services Center (www.tlsc.org) and see if they can put you in contact with an attorney who will work at a substantial discount. You might also contact the attorney general's office and see if they will help you get child support for the child.

Don't talk to the AG about custody--that will be the natural consequence of a child support order. But if you position it as a custody issue, the AG definitely will not help. If you position it as a support issue, they might help.

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Answered on 7/17/11, 7:27 pm


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