Get free answers to your Adoption legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
removed from NJ. On Nov 25 the adoption agency opposed decision as her guardian & ICPC and had her removed to live with adoptive parent in Georgia
How can they over rule judge's order?
answered on Dec 4, 2024
No competent lawyer worth his salt could answer your question without reviewing the underlying order and pleadings from the trial court and the submissions to the appellate court and its order and its statement of reasons. My suggestion is that you retain a family law attorney to review all of that... View More
I am 16 years old and I buy my food and phone with my money and my parents keep taking it when it arrives so i was wondering if they can take my stuff even tho i buy it with my money. Also My dad threatended with a knife when i backed him up because he got close and he was heated and my counselor... View More
answered on Nov 16, 2024
I'm saddened to hear this is occurring in your household. Abuse of any kind is absolutely never condoned by the law. If your dad is chastising you by striking you with foreign objects or makeshift weapons, you should contact the authorities including your local police and local department of... View More
answered on Nov 8, 2024
Yes. However, the if the child is disabled, you could file a petition for guardianship, conservatorship, limited guardianship, limited conservatorship and/or a combination those representative roles.
"Disabled" means a legal disability, not a medical disability, and is measured... View More
I began testifying in a violation fact finding trial brought on by CPS. Suddenly, the judge stopped me and had a private meeting with attorneys. My attorney then suggested to me that I admit guilt as it is favorable to the judge I said I didn’t want to because I would be silenced and I want... View More
answered on Nov 6, 2024
In a neglect case CPS usually requests an admission so as to try to start the Respondent to repair their relationship with the child through social services such as parenting classes, rehab or whatever is required depending on the accusations. You do not have to admit and can request a hearing.... View More
He missed the deadline to file the appeal and will not contact me giving me any further information or case records I do not have a final order and the case has already went to appeals on the mothers request what do I tell the appeal court my attorney list the wrong contact information and I have... View More
answered on Oct 31, 2024
Not all lawyers handle appeals. You need to contact an attorney who practices in the area of civil appellate law and bring them a copy of the trial court order you want to appeal. There is a time limit from when the order was signed for you to appeal, so acting promptly is strongly recommended.... View More
What can I do to prevent this from happening?
answered on Oct 31, 2024
Generally, a parent can take a child's cell phone. This includes as part of a disciplinary measure or if the parent wants to limit or prohibit cell phone or social media use.
Almost every school now has a school counselor available to students to help talk about issues they are... View More
I was under the understanding I would be able to call, write, minimal visits when I got sober. That was back in 2011-2012. 2014 I got sober and have reached out multiple times through messages and other family members. I have 2 other children now that want to know their sister. Do I have any leg to... View More
answered on Sep 25, 2024
Review and check for any explicit terms in the adoption agreement regarding your rights to contact. If you don’t have a copy of this agreement, obtaining one would be crucial. If possible, consider proposing mediation to your aunt. A third-party mediator can help facilitate a discussion and... View More
We have not heard from his father in a year if not longer. I have given up on texting and calling him due to him not replying. I send pictures here and there with no response. He has never financially helped in the whole 5 years but I never asked for child support. So at this point I think it’s... View More
answered on Sep 17, 2024
You can file for a step-parent adoption in your county's probate court. Because the biological father has not been involved or paid support to you in over a year (even without a support order) his consent is not required to commence the adoption. You do not need to file for abandonment.
I have custody of my grandson and in 2019 I paid a lawyer over $500 for my husband to adopt him. The lawyer guaranteed me that we would be in front of the judge before adoption month, November 2019. We have not been in front of a judge, have not received any papers , we haven't even talked to... View More
answered on Sep 10, 2024
Most adoption cases are wrapped up within a number of months. Even cases that go to trial and go up on appeal are generally resolved in a matter of years. Thus, something isn't adding up if you hired an attorney in 2019 and the adoption case isn't finalized by now.
If you are... View More
My aunt was given power of attorney of two minors who are her nieces that were removed from their home by CPS. My aunt then gave my mother temporary custody. CPS is saying the case is closed, parental rights are severed, and my aunt no longer has POA since signing over temp custody. The question is... View More
answered on Sep 6, 2024
Whoever has been appointed managing conservator of the children can consent, orally or in writing, for the children to live with you.
That consent will not, however, accomplish certain goals like enabling you to enroll the children in a public school, consent to medical treatment, consent... View More
My husband and I have had sole custody of my nephew for a little over a year after my sister’s death. There was no father listed on the birth certificate or in his life, but attempts were made by the courts to locate the supposed father at the time custody was awarded. He never came forward and... View More
answered on Aug 12, 2024
Here's my suggestion---it sounds like you do not have an attorney and you suggest that cost may be a fact-----I do not know if you previously consulted with an attorney, however my recommendation is that you set up an appointment with an adoption attorney for the purpose of a... View More
My partner is getting a divorce , we live in Nevada & her husband lives in Washington state. Can we avoid having to make the trip up to Washington , by notarizing the documents here on the mothers behalf & then send the documents to Washington & have her husband also notarize separately... View More
answered on Jul 31, 2024
As an attorney, I can provide some general information, but for specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please contact us at 702-979-1455 or visit our website at www.gastelumattorneys.com.
In divorce cases where the spouses reside in different states, it is often possible to... View More
My 2 children were adopted out of the foster care system in Nevada although we live and have always lived in California. Now my child has several needs that should be provided for from Nevada but since we're not there they offer no other support other than a support allowance and medicaid... View More
answered on Jul 24, 2024
Adoption agreements typically cannot be transferred to another state post-adoption. However, there are ways to ensure your child receives the necessary services. First, you can contact the Nevada agency that handled the adoption to clarify the support they provide and any potential resources... View More
I pay my ordered child support, but haven't seen my kids in almost 9 years. Their mother prevented contact. I know I should have filed for visitation long ago. My kids want nothing to do with me. What should I do?
answered on Jul 3, 2024
You are in a very tough position. A biological parent's consent is not needed for a step-parent adoption if they have had less than de minimus contact with the minor children for more than one year without reasonable excuse. A court will have a hard time concluding that your failure to file... View More
At the moment, I want custody of her but have been told by social worker that they normally don’t remove the child from the home if they have been in the persons care for over a year.
answered on Jun 25, 2024
Thank you for sharing your situation. It sounds like you're dealing with a complex guardianship issue regarding your younger sister. Here's some general information that may be helpful:
1. California law does consider stability and continuity in a child's living situation as... View More
Boyfriend will not propose because his lawyer told him it will negatively affect him in a child custody trial, is that correct? However, his lawyer has not stayed in consistent contact with him (it’s been a month and a half since they last spoke) nor has done anything to move the case forward for... View More
answered on Jun 24, 2024
Generally speaking, showing a stable, consistent home environment is desirable in almost all custody cases. An engagement and impending marriage introduces change. The nature and degree of that change can be a negative factor in a custody case. Everything depends on the particular facts and... View More
The father is in prison and will be deported in a few months.
answered on Jun 13, 2024
The adoption process in this situation can be complex due to the biological father's citizenship status and incarceration. However, it may be possible for the US citizen stepfather to adopt the US citizen stepdaughter without the biological father's consent under certain circumstances.... View More
The youngest child’s father is not involved and never has been and doesn’t want anything to do with his son. The older two children’s Father also will sign custody over to me.
answered on Jun 8, 2024
In situations involving Child Protective Services (CPS), the process of transferring custody can be complex. While your sister and the children's fathers may agree to grant you custody, the final decision will likely involve CPS and the court system. Here are a few important points to... View More
And after signing those papers the hhs tells you by the way this office has something to say and I was arrest for a warrant
answered on Jun 4, 2024
If you had a warrant, I'm unsure there is anything legally you can do about it as the police can execute it any time or place. Same thing could have happened if you were to appear in court on the CPS matter; they could have taken you into custody then.
Can cps drug test a parent if there not on proll or probation or because of a 16 year old case
answered on Jun 4, 2024
I understand your concern, but I want to provide some important context first. CPS (Child Protective Services) operates under state-specific laws and guidelines. Their primary goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of children. CPS investigations and actions are typically based on current... View More
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