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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    1

    Default How do I obtain custody of my cousin?

    My cousin is being neglected in more ways than one. The parents show an interest in letting me take her for a while. How do I obtain custody? (temp. custody that might lead to perm. custody down the road). I thought of just bringing her here and not doing anything legal, but what if she needs medical attention or something of the like? Also, what about insurance? She lives in Nebraska, we live in Washington state - will that be a problem as well? We plan to move back to their area w/in a few months, but it will probably be on the other side of the river in Iowa so we will still be in another state.
    A little info on us - my husband is in the Army so we have a steady income, housing, etc. Also, we have 3 other children who are a little older (my cousin is 1, my children are 9, 11 and 13). No criminal history for either of us Great credit, no bills except a car loan (don't know if any of that matters or not).
    Since we are looking for houses, I might be where my cousin is in less than 2 weeks - can I just take her at that time (if her parents consent) and then get the paperwork going? If so, should I at least have them sign a hand-made paper of them stating it's ok that I have her? I imagine I'll need some sort of proof of her age to get her on the airplane for free?
    Whether now or later, I would like this to happen BEFORE the state gets hold of her - I assume it will be harder at that time?
    Any suggestions/tips/ideas?

    (I just read in another post about guardianship - maybe this is the way to go instead? How do I go about that?)

    Thank you all.
    In Christ, Joanne

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    984

    Default Re: How do I obtain custody of my cousin?

    If CPS is already involved or there is a chance of their involvement you would do best to file for guardianship, emergency or voluntary as soon as you get there, and in the mean time get the hand written permission for medical care and a copy of the birth certificate, you should be able to order that before you get there. If CPS is already involved be sure to touch case with their case worker and GAL if there is one appointed. You will also want to get child support orders or can file for them once you have guardianship, I take it military will allow the child on Tricare once you have official guardianship papers.

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