Hey everyone, I need some advice about my 17-year-old granddaughter. She’s been wanting to live with me for about a year now. Her dad (my son) has residential rights, but he lives in Texas and she doesn’t want to move there. Her mom, who lives in Kansas, has a history of being verbally abusive and hasn’t been stable for years. My son is willing to sign over his rights to me if that’s what she wants. Is it possible for me to get legal guardianship in Kansas? Has anyone dealt with a situation like this?
Yes, you can petition for guardianship in Kansas. Courts usually consider the child’s best interests, and at 17, her preference matters.
Bryce said:
Yes, you can petition for guardianship in Kansas. Courts usually consider the child’s best interests, and at 17, her preference matters.
That’s good to know. Do you think her mom could fight it and win?
Bryce said:
Yes, you can petition for guardianship in Kansas. Courts usually consider the child’s best interests, and at 17, her preference matters.
She could try, but if you can prove verbal abuse or instability, the court will likely side with what’s best for your granddaughter.
Your son signing over guardianship to you will definitely help your case. Make sure he provides a formal statement.
Willow said:
Your son signing over guardianship to you will definitely help your case. Make sure he provides a formal statement.
Got it. Do we need a lawyer to draft that or can it just be a notarized letter?
Willow said:
Your son signing over guardianship to you will definitely help your case. Make sure he provides a formal statement.
A notarized letter can work, but having a lawyer draft it might be more official and cover all the bases.
Make sure to gather any evidence of the mom’s abuse or instability. That’ll make your petition much stronger.
Arlen said:
Make sure to gather any evidence of the mom’s abuse or instability. That’ll make your petition much stronger.
I don’t have much in writing, but I could ask school counselors to back up her claims. Would that help?
Arlen said:
Make sure to gather any evidence of the mom’s abuse or instability. That’ll make your petition much stronger.
Yes, statements from school counselors or therapists carry a lot of weight in these cases.
You might also want to file for temporary guardianship first. That way, she can stay with you while everything is being sorted out.
Fin said:
You might also want to file for temporary guardianship first. That way, she can stay with you while everything is being sorted out.
I didn’t know that was an option. How do I go about filing for that?
Fin said:
You might also want to file for temporary guardianship first. That way, she can stay with you while everything is being sorted out.
You can include it in your guardianship petition. Courts often grant it if the situation seems urgent.
Given her age, the process might be faster since she’ll be 18 soon. Courts usually try to expedite these cases.
Addison said:
Given her age, the process might be faster since she’ll be 18 soon. Courts usually try to expedite these cases.
That’s a relief. I was worried it would take too long and she’d just have to wait it out.
Addison said:
Given her age, the process might be faster since she’ll be 18 soon. Courts usually try to expedite these cases.
Exactly. At her age, they focus more on her preference as long as it’s in her best interest.