Q: I would like to know if I can get Custody of my granddaughter
I am a paternal grandmother of a teenage granddaughter whose mother has custody of her and been living in terrible conditions. Right now she’s being evicted from a home she’s 3 months behind in payments. Last year she got evicted from a house with no where to go she was squatting with her 3 kids and her boyfriend. She will not keep employment, she trifling, smokes weed all day and drinks as well my granddaughter missed so many days of school it goes on and on she’s a unfit selfish bipolar parent who needs help( mentally). I would like to get my granddaughter and give her some stability in her life she’s a beautiful young lady who doesn’t deserve to live like that! Is there any chance I can fight to get custody of my granddaughter
A:
Not easily; And I'm sorry to hear the circumstances, which must be hard to see as a loving grandmother.
Unless and until the mother's parental rights are suspended or terminated, you have no real leg to stand on. I take it from the tone of your question that you do not have a great relationship with this mother? An alternative would be to reach out to her to see if she would be agreeable with you taking custody of the child. Best scenario would be for you to get her to sign a parental power of attorney, and then down the road you could consider guardianship once the girl is in your custody. That way, this young girl can be safe and cared for, and this woman would be more free to go about her life as she apparently sees fit.
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