Deducting Child Custody Legal Fees and Paying For Transportation

[granddad1955]

Hello,

I am a relative caregiver in Florida and have had custody of my 7 year old grand daughter for over 3 years now. This past year I have been battling with both the local community based provider and the parents in court because they do not like what the judge ordered, and continues to order. I have about $40,000.00 in legal fees and I am wondering if there is any potential tax releif from a federal income tax standpoint in this situation. I've talked with a couple of "experts" and I get little real answer.

On a second issue, in our sitation, who normally bears the cost of visits with the siblings and the parents? There is a court ordered sibling visit at my house that the parents refuse to provide transportation for. It is their court order to have the visit and I am not a party. I am continuously told that if I don't provide the transportation the visit will not happen and I will be held accountable even though I am not a party to the proceeding (I am only a participant).

Thanks for your help.

grand dad

[Mr. Knowitall]

I am not aware of any way to get a deduction for family court legal fees pertaining to custody.

If the court has ordered you to provide transportation, that's what the court expects to happen. If this creates hardship, ask the court to reconsider the order.

[granddad1955]

The court has ordered the visits but does not speak to who provides transportation. The order was relative to the return on the younger child to the parent's home and I was not even a participant in that case since the older sister is the one who lives with me.