Legal Question in Family Law in Utah

Guardianship or adoption

my friend and her husband have two

children. they both use drugs and

drink alcohol. they have separated

the mother living with me with the

children and the father moving in

with his parents. the children are

currently legally in states custody.

the mother has moved out of my

apartment and has left the children

with me. i have been taking them to

appointments to get registered for

head start and daycare so i could

work. i am the only one paying for

the rent, utilities, and food and

supplies for the children and house.

the children call me mom all the time

and will run to me rather than the

mother or father. i need to know how

and who i talk to to get guardianship

or if i have any legal right to adopt

them as my own. i need it so i could

take care of all the problems i have

without needing the mothers help

because neither of the parents will

help me with out throwing a fit like i

ask too much of them.


Asked on 10/08/08, 3:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alvin Lundgren Alvin R. Lundgren, L.C.

Re: Guardianship or adoption

You can either apply to the court for guardianship or to adopt them. I suggest you start with the guardianship, which is easier and gives you all of the legal rights to care for the children. Then apply to adopt (these can be done as part of a single court action.)

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Answered on 10/09/08, 4:54 pm


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