Hi,
I need to find out what I can do to get legal custody of my grandson who is 16 years old. He is refusing to live with his mother and she is threatening to have the police pick him up and bring him home what can I do?

In Texas a 16 year old can decide where they want to live. If he wants to live with you then all you have to do is have legal custody papers wrote up.

Go To DSS in your county immediately.... Tell them your story and ask them to give you temporary custody until an investigation can be done.... Then file for permanent custody if the DSS thinks you can get it...

Donna

I agree with Donna. Billy's parents want legal custody of his son until he comes home. We are trying to find out how to do it that's less traumatic to his son. He's only 6.

Hi,
Thank you for your response, I have talked to social services I am in California they tell me I need an attorney ($5000.00) I do not have that kind of money, but I do have a job so I do not qualify for state aid. Does anyone know if there are papers I could get and fill them out myself.

THERE MAY BE A LEGAL AID OFFICE THAT CAN HELP-WE HAVE NC LEGAL AID HERE THAT HELPS WITH SOME CUSTODY ISSUES

? BSS:
The legalities of this nature in Alabama would be handled in a department called DHR (Dept. of Human Resources). The situation of their involvement is usually when the custodial parent(s) are unfit of some nature.
Legal papers can be presented in handwriting fashion without an attorney. You can have the child file an emancipation motion with assistance of a court appointed attorney delivered by the judge. He is a minor and will automatically receive an attorney. Either one of you can go to the courthouse in your county and file a motion of custody relief. The clerk will give you a questionaire that request the nature of your case. You explain the situation and state that you are filing for your grandson. Your cost will be a filing fee. The only consequence in Alabama for this type motion is for false allegation about the custodial parent. The results would be a defamation claim. Maybe this will help with your need of information and assistance. Good luck with your problem.
Sincerely submitted,
38 Special

BSS, how long has the 16 year old been staying with you? I wonder if a court would decide to give you temporary custody or not? You don't have to prove a mother unfit in IL. You just have to prove that you can provide for the "best interests of the child." I have no idea how Alabama handles that. I hope you can find a reasonable attorney or help from a legal clinic.
Does the child live in another community with his mom? Or are you both from the same town? I would like to hear more about this so that I could possibly offer some insight. (??)
I have been through two very different custody battles and I might be able to shed some light on a few things for you.

Hi
I would like to thank all of you for your help. My grandson has returned home under the threat of the police picking him up. Maybe they can work things out I hope so. I am on my way in the morning to visit my son in Pelican Bay State Prison in California I have only seen him twice in the past ten years. He is in the SHU there. I hope when I return we can work something out in the best interest of my grandson. Things are very different here in California if it does not cost money it does not exist. I have spoken to the family law department at the juvenile department here in Orange County and they say without an attorney I cannot even get the papers I need to file. So overall, my hands are tied until I do this. Thank you once again for your concern.

I am sorry to hear that things aren't going as you would like.
I hope your visit goes well today! Safe driving and let us know how your son is doing!

Pelican Bay SHU, I'm sorry to hear about that. Does he know how long a SHU term he has or is it an indeterminate sentence? Thats a really long drive from OC. I pray things work out for the best.------Ken

Hi,
I am home from visiting my son at Pelican Bay he looks great. I was able to visit him twice a day on the 29th and 30th and once a day on the 6th and 7th. I was able to take my Grandson with me which I did not expect we had a wonderful time. We stayed in Oregon during the week and I got to take him salmon fighing for four days we didn't catch any salmon but we sure gave them a run for their money. Ken in answer to your question he is in the shu on an indeterminate he has been there for ten years. Yes it was a very long drive but it went well and we returned home safely. Now I will start working on the grandson problem again.

GLAD YOU HAD A GREAT VISIT! KEEP US UPDATED ON HIM AND YOUR GRANDSON!

DSS

I AM SO GLAD YOU GOT TO VISIT 4 DAYS. THAT IS GREAT... IT IS ALSO GREAT YOU HAVE YOUR GRANDSON.... AT 16, IT WILL NOT BE EASY, BUT LOVE CAN DO WONDERS. KEEP HIM CLOSE. LET HIM HAVE A VENTING AVENUE THAT IS SAFE FOR HIM.... LATER, GET HIM COUNSELING. KEEP HIM INVOLVED IN THINGS HE REALLY LIKES TO DO....

GOD WILL BLESS YOU FOR YOUR INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF YOUR GRANDSON.. NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON THAT TYPE RESPONSIBILITY. I ADMIRE YOU GREATLY.. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

DONNA

BS,

I'm glad your grand son returned home, but has the reason he left in the first place been addressed? Can social services give you any help or advise as to an attorney who might take your case pro-bono, or any organizations that can assist you. It's a long shot but AARP might have some info that can help you. They are active in grandparents rights.

I'm so sorry to hear about your son. An indeterminate SHU at the bay is in my view torture, & cruel & unusual treatment. It is a prime example of mans inhumanity to man. Is there anything I can do for him. Write letters to him for support, send him books or magazines? Anything? Please let me know.

My thoughs & prayers are with you, & your son.----Ken