Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

I had custody of my nephew when he was an infant. After eighteen months, he was placed in his mother's care again...only temporarily. The child's father was granted custody shortly after, and he then turned the child over to his mother. The child currently resides in Texas (I think...I hope). The child's father and grandmother have put forth much effort to keep the child's location and well-being a secret. They have denied telephone contact and returned gift packages.

This situation has broken my heart. I have found both the grandmother and the father on MySpace, but I only secretly visit their profiles so that I can view pictures of my nephew and read the blogs about his little life. I fear that one day I will be discovered and that small ounce of connection I have will be lost. He is six years old now, and I would assume that he doesn't even know I exist.

I only want what is best for this child. My intent is not to come crashing into his life at this point and cause trauma and turmoil. I am sure that his grandmother's home is a fit and loving home. But, I would like to slowly work my way back into his life so that he knows that he has more family halfway across the United States and that we love him very much. Are there any legal rights for me?


Asked on 12/10/09, 2:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Dunn Mark D. Dunn

Generally, the law (under Troxel vs. Granville) is that PARENTS have the right to make decisions about their children, and how the children will be raised. That means that they have the right to control (or cut off) your access to the child. You'll want to be careful about "slowly working your way back into his life."

I suggest that you continue to extend the olive branch, so to speak, in the form of keeping lines of communication open, even if they don't respond.

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Answered on 12/15/09, 3:01 pm


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