Should I Try for Legal Guardianship of My Younger Sister

[The PB]

My question involves guardianship in the State of: Virginia
I am only 18 years old and my fiance, who is 20 lives with me. My mother got into some trouble a few years back and all of us kids got adopted out. My only full blood sister is 17 and currently lives in Michigan with her adopted family. Our father just recently died in a car accident and my mother is on probation trying to deal with my older sisters 2nd pregnancy. Well my 17 yr old sister is having problems with her adopted family of 4 years and there is now a hearing on Monday her adoptive mother set up to get her out of the house and back into the system. Is there any possibilty of me getting legal guardianship of her? Should I try for guardianship or would adoption be better. I want whats best for her and I don't prefer for her to keep being dragged through group homes. Please help me!?

[cbg]

I applaud your willingness to help and your admission that you wants what's best for her even if it's not what you would prefer. Kudos to you.

In all honesty, I can't even imagine a judge giving guardianship of a troubled 17 year old to an 18 year old.

[LawResearcherMissy]

Is there any possibilty of me getting legal guardianship of her?

I am largely in agreement with cbg, in that it's difficult to imagine that a judge would go along with it as things stand.

HOWEVER...you may have a chance at obtaining guardianship of her if you become a licensed foster parent. It's a lot of work, but would go miles towards showing the court that you're competent and fit. A dear friend found herself in a similar situation some years ago, and she was very successful with this route.

Of course, depending on when she will turn 18, this may well all be irrelevant - at 18, if you would like her to come live with you, she can come.