I’m in a bit of a tricky situation regarding my cousin’s kids. Her ex-husband got full custody about 2 years ago, and the kids moved from TN to GA to live with him. Now, he’s going through a divorce with his wife, but it’s not finalized yet. The ex-wife doesn’t have any rights to the kids, but she’s trying to get custody. Things are getting messy because there’s a guardian ad litem involved now. A few weeks ago, he called my husband and me and mentioned he wants us to have guardianship of the kids and have them live with us. This has been a conversation since the summer. However, when he contacted the TN family court, they told him to sort this out in GA first because it could hurt his case there. He hasn’t even been served papers yet, so he’s trying to figure out what’s going on. We think the ex is fighting for custody, and we’re worried about how to get involved. If the court decides the dad shouldn’t have custody anymore, we don’t want them to choose the ex over us just because we didn’t speak up. Do courts consider blood relatives first before allowing a non-blood relative to have custody? Should we get involved with this case somehow?
Where is your cousin (the children’s mother) in this situation? You never mention her or how she relates to these kids.
Tatum said:
Where is your cousin (the children’s mother) in this situation? You never mention her or how she relates to these kids.
She’s currently not involved since she lost custody and hasn’t been able to be in the kids’ lives much. It’s been really difficult for her.
It sounds like the stepmom might be trying to get visitation and/or custody of the kids under the Georgia equitable caregiver act. You could consult with a Georgia family law lawyer about what options would work in this case.
@Serena
That’s a good idea. I hadn’t thought about the equitable caregiver act. Thanks for the suggestion!
In custody cases, courts usually consider the best interests of the children first. Blood relatives often get preference, but it can depend on the specific circumstances of the case. It might be worth reaching out to a lawyer sooner rather than later.
@Blane
I appreciate that info. It’s helpful to know how courts might view this.
It’s tough when family dynamics get complicated like this. Staying proactive is key. If you feel you could be a good option for the kids, don’t hesitate to make that known to the courts.
Sidney said:
It’s tough when family dynamics get complicated like this. Staying proactive is key. If you feel you could be a good option for the kids, don’t hesitate to make that known to the courts.
Absolutely. I just want to make sure we’re doing what’s right for them.
Have you considered reaching out to any family advocacy groups? They might have resources or advice for situations like yours.
Ming said:
Have you considered reaching out to any family advocacy groups? They might have resources or advice for situations like yours.
That’s a great idea! I’ll look into that. Thank you!