Grandchild Custody Legal Steps

Summary

In California, you can petition for guardianship if you believe a parent is unfit. Courts consider the childs best interest, including evidence of neglect or abuse. Consult a local family law attorney for guidance.

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She's been through so much with her mom my daughter being sick her whole life then losing her so young and then her grandpa who she was really close with having a stroke and she rarely gets to see him and now this it's so much stress for someone her age she hasn't really had a child hood let alone a good one she told me she just wants to live what is left of her childhood
I'm sorry to hear about the struggles your granddaughter is facing. In California, a child's preference may be considered in custody cases if they're mature enough. The court will decide based on the child's best interest. It's essential to talk to a family law attorney.
How does the court know if she's mature enough? I think she is
In California, the court will evaluate her maturity based on her ability to understand and articulate her desires and needs. This is subjective and varies from case to case. A family law attorney can provide more insight.
Oh ok yes she is the one who found all the evidence she knows how to express her emotions and she is willing to talk about her preferences
It sounds like your granddaughter is very mature for her age. In California, if she's willing to express her desires in court, this could greatly impact the case. Please consult with a family law attorney for further guidance.
Yes she is very smart to she's ready she told me that her dad has threatened to separate her from her moms side of the family(us) and she told me "grandma if tou don't hear from me in over a week please do a welfare check on me just in case he cuts off all connections between us"
I'm sorry to hear about this. If you fear for your granddaughter's safety, you may want to consider contacting local child protective services. They can investigate and may intervene if necessary. Please consult with a local attorney for more detailed advice.
She has text showing evidence of emotional abuse and educational neglect and some of the text help prove physical abuse
It's good that you've collected evidence. In California, the court takes such proofs into consideration. Remember, it's essential to maintain the child's safety. Please consult with a local family law attorney or child protective services for further guidance.
She recently told me that she hasn't been to the doctors in years so i called her doctor office an made an appointment for her i told her she needs to be checked regularly especially at her age
That's a good step. Medical neglect is a serious issue. In California, it's important to document this as well. Has she seen the doctor yet? If not, encourage her to do so. It's vital to consult with a family law attorney for further guidance.
No her appointment is on june 11th I'm picking her up and taking her she's also going to stay with me for a week her birthday party is of the 15th she lives about * hours away from me
That's great to hear. It's important to keep a record of the doctor's visit as it can be used as evidence of medical neglect. Consult with a family law attorney for more guidance on this matter.
Yes she said she has pictures of unsanitary living conditions, text proving emotional abuse and physical abuse, bank papers showing her dad is taking money out of her account, and text showing educational neglect when we go to the doctors we are going to ask for her medical records
This is valuable evidence. In California, all this can be used in court to prove her father's unfit conditions. Keep them safe and consult with a family law attorney for the next steps.
Yes she also said that her having to share a room with her dad when there is an extra one at the house she lives in can also help
Indeed, that could potentially be considered inappropriate living arrangements. Has she discussed this with a child welfare professional or a family law attorney? It's crucial to have legal guidance in such situations.
No she said that her grandparents keep that room for when her nephews come over i think thats wrong no 16 year old girl should have to share a room with her dad especially when there is an extra onse
That seems inappropriate indeed. It could be a point of concern for the court. Please consult a family law attorney to discuss this further. They can provide tailored advice for your situation.
When she visit me i have a room for her it's important that she has privacy
That's a good approach. Have you considered speaking with a family law attorney to discuss your granddaughter's situation and potential guardianship? They can guide you based on California law.
No we are planning to get one
That's a wise decision. A family law attorney can guide you through the legal process and help protect your granddaughter's rights. They can also explain how to present the evidence in court.
She is in such a difficult situation right now every time she has to leave she cries a lot for days sometimes too and her dad gets upset and tells her she need to stop getting emotional every time she leaves or she has to stop visiting
I'm sorry to hear about her distress. Emotional abuse can be taken into account in custody cases. Has her emotional state been documented by a healthcare or mental health professional? This could serve as additional evidence.
No i have text of her saying she is crying and she says she text a number so she can talk to a therapist
That's a tough situation. It's good she's seeking help. Is she able to access therapy services? Their professional opinion could also serve as evidence. Please consult with a family law attorney for guidance.
Yes she has a school counselor but she cant see her that often because no one can take her to school I'm to far away to be taking her if she lived with me she'll be going to the high-school that's down the street and I'll get her a therapist
It's good to know you're planning for her wellbeing. In California, her access to education and mental health services can also be considered by the court. Have you discussed this with a family law attorney yet?
No she also said her dad said he'll get her one when they first moved over there but it's been over a year and he still hasn't
That's concerning. It seems like her father is not prioritising her mental health. This might also be considered by the court. Do you plan to discuss this with your family law attorney soon?
Yes
That's a good step. Make sure to discuss all these points with your family law attorney. They'll guide you on how best to present these issues in court. Have you already found a suitable attorney to consult with?
She hasn't been to the doctors or dentist in years i had to make her appointments because she told me she hasn't gone
That's concerning. Neglecting medical and dental care can be seen as neglect. Have you documented these instances for your future legal proceedings? It's crucial you discuss this with your family law attorney.
She said a couple of weeks ago she had a really sore throat and it hurt so bad that she would almost cry when she drank water she told her dad and showed him what her throat look like and he said that looks like tonsillitis and he showed his mom what her throat looked like and told her her symptoms and his mom gave her some medicine that was prescribed to her instead of taking her to the er and getting her professionally checked she said she only took the antibiotics once i told her that's dangerous because it could've been something else and she could've gotten sick from taking that medicine
That's a serious issue. It sounds like her medical needs were not properly attended to. Did she receive professional medical care eventually? It's important to document these instances for your case.
No
That's alarming. It's crucial to seek medical attention for her as soon as possible. Meanwhile, make sure to document all these events as they can be used as evidence of neglect. Have you discussed these incidents with a family law attorney?
She said she has a picture of the antibiotics bottle proving it was prescribed to her grandma and that they didn't take her to the doctors
That's valuable evidence. In California, this could indicate medical neglect. Ensure you share this with your family law attorney. Has she taken any other steps to document her living conditions or communicate her situation to authorities?
Yes she has pictures of black mold in the shower
That's concerning. Black mold can be detrimental to health. This could potentially add to the evidence of unsanitary living conditions. Has she shown these pictures to a legal professional or reported to any local authorities?
No
These pictures could be crucial evidence. I recommend sharing them with a family law attorney. Have you begun the process of finding an attorney to help with your granddaughter's case?
I told her to keep all that evidence safe
That's a wise move. Have you started looking for a family law attorney in Merced, California to help with your case? They can guide you on how to effectively use this evidence.
Yes
Great, have you managed to set up a consultation with any attorney yet? It's important to discuss all these points and evidence with them.
No not yet
It's crucial to do so as soon as possible. An attorney can provide guidance on how to proceed. Would you like information on how to find a family law attorney in Merced, California?
I felt so bad when she told me about her throat i told her i would've taken her to the er if she was here and gotten her properly checked instead of have people with no medical experience say that she has tonsillitis and giving her antibiotics prescribed to her dads mom
That's indeed a serious concern. It's important to document such instances of medical neglect. How is she feeling now? Has she received proper medical attention yet?
She said it went away a while ago i told her to have her doctor check her throat when i take her to make sure everything is ok
That's a relief. It's good that she's seeing a doctor soon. Did you document this incident of medical neglect? It might be important for your case.
Yes sort of she took a picture of the pill bottle to prive they were giving her prescription medicine that wasn't prescribed to her
That's excellent. It's important to keep such evidence safe. Has she been able to document any other instances of medical neglect or abuse?
I told her to ask for her medical records when we go to the doctors so she can show the court her dad hasn't taken her
That's a good idea. In California, medical records can serve as crucial evidence of medical neglect. Has she taken any other steps to document her living conditions or communicate her situation to authorities?
Yes she has text messages and pictures as well and the bank papers
That's great. She's collected substantial evidence. In California, all this can be used in court to prove her father's unfit conditions. Has she discussed these with a family law attorney yet?
No she said she will when she comes back she's coming back in about * weeks she said she'll try and stay * weeks
That's a good plan. It's crucial she consults with a legal professional. Has she considered talking to a counselor or a child advocate about her situation?
She has a family friend who is a social worker she was going to see if she can talk to her about all of this
That's a great step. Social workers can provide valuable support and guidance. She should also consider sharing her evidence with this professional. Has she made arrangements to meet with the social worker when she's with you?
No not yet she still needs to ask her
That's a crucial step. I recommend arranging this as soon as possible. Is there anything else she's planning to do to document her situation or protect her rights?
So far she has all the evidence she's going to talk to a lawyer and she's going to try and talk to the social worker
That's a great start. It's also important to have emotional support during this time. Does she have access to a counselor or support group that can assist her through this challenging situation?
No she's been talking to me and my family and her friends about everything and we've been helping and supporting her
That's wonderful she has a strong support system. If she requires additional emotional support, a professional counselor might be beneficial. Has she considered seeking therapy or counseling services?
Yes i told her i can try and get her a therapist and I'll for sure get her one if she gets to live with me
That's a great plan. In California, access to mental health services can play a role in custody cases. Have you considered discussing this with your family law attorney too?
No i don't have one yet
I see. It's crucial to consult with a family law attorney given the complexity of your situation. Would you like some assistance on how to find a family law attorney in Merced, California?