My wife has a cousin who has struggled with drugs her entire life and has three children, ages 10, 12, and 16. Recently, she went back to drugs and gave custody of her kids to her father, who’s now saying he’s too old to care for them and plans to give them up after the school year in June. We thought they were safe, but now they might end up in foster care. My wife and I are newly married, and we’re in a position to take them in and care for them until they’re older. What steps should we take in the next 6 months to get custody before they go into the system? What kind of legal help will we need? We believe the family will support us in this. Are there any financial resources available to help with their care? This is all happening in New York state (not NYC).
You definitely need to consult with a family law attorney who specializes in guardianship cases. They can guide you through the process.
Start gathering any documentation you can about their situation. It will help your case. Also, talk to the kids and see how they feel about living with you.
Look into financial assistance programs in your area. There might be resources available for guardians taking in relatives.
It sounds like you really care about these kids. Just make sure you have everything in order so you can move quickly if needed. Good luck!