Legal guardianship over my sister

**lfinley** · 03-22-2006, 07:56 PM

i am 31 years old 2 kids married homeowner and at current job for 7 years . my stepmother recently was involved in a car accident leading to her death. she leaves behind my sister at age of 12 years old . she recently changed her will 6 months ago to appoint a friend of hers in iowa guardianship of my 12yr old sister. i am very concerned because my sister does not feel comfortable with them. my sister told me she does not even know them .i also foud out that my aunt and uncle were to be her guardians until this change .they have already asked me to take care of her but these friends of my stepmother wont do anything unless i contest the custody.my aunt tells me she and my stepmother had a dispute about money 6 months ago and thats probably why she changed it.I NEED HELP NOT REALLY SURE WHAT TO DO.I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SISTER LIVENG WITH STRANGERS TO HER WHEN SHE COULD LIVE WITH ME AND MY WIFE SO SHE COULD BE CLOSE TO HER FAMILY

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-23-2006, 05:19 AM

Where is the child presently living?

**lfinley** · 03-23-2006, 07:25 AM

The (child) is currently residing in Cleburne, Texas. This location is her home address prior to the death of her mother. The legal guardians that have been put in place for her are at her home of residence and intend to atleast try to stay there until the end of the school year which would be the end of May. This is not a guarantee though. If things should not work out they way the expect they may need to return back to Iowa (Legal guardians) home of residence. Taking the child with them. They are both in their late 40's to early 50's. Their children are grown and out of their home and they reside in a duplex in Iowa. They have only seen the (child) in mention 2 times during the past 9 years (approx.). My family whom has a 12and 8 year old as well, has been in contact with her up until the past 2 years due to reasons of the Mother being spiteful. We own our home and reside in a good area.
The estate to include all assests that exists from the will has been dicussed about being sold along with any other assets that may need to be sold to provide the child with living expenses. This amount could very well range in close to 500,000.00. The child also has a trust that was from her grandmother at her time of death that would be close to the amount of 1,000,000.00.
Her Aunt and Uncle both reside in Texas not more than an hour from her current home. And my family lives around 3 hours from her home (in Texas). We, and her Aunt and Uncle are her last blood relatives.
Any more info that anyone may need I can provide. Just let me know.

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-23-2006, 07:40 AM

If the sole basis for their status as guardians is the will, it will be possible to initiate guardianship proceedings through a court and ask that somebody else be made the child's guardian. If a court has already appointed them as guardians, it will be necessary to go back to the court which issued that order and ask the court to revoke their guardianship and make somebody else a guardian.

**lfinley** · 03-23-2006, 07:54 AM

As being that the accident at hand just happened Thursday of last week. And the will reading just happened on Tuesday morning of this week (we were not present do to not being invited). As far as we know, there are strictly being appointed guardianship from the basis of the will. The mothers last wishes. We would like to contest the will and take guardianship of the child, but unsure of how to go about doing this. We've already asked the guardians if we could take custody of the child, but they told us that they are going to follow the will and the mothers last wishes and keep the child in their guardianship.