Hi I am trying to find out if Texas has a law on the books that permits a caretaker to seek custody of a child that has been left in their custody. My state has a law that states if a child is left in the custody of a caretaker by their legal guardians for more than 90 days that child is considered to be abandoned. Does anyone know of any such law in TExas and where I may look to find it? Thanks Cynthia NM

Texas law provides 'standing' to ask for legal custody if the child has been in your actual possession for at least six months. If you're interested in pursuing custody I suggest you call me or another atty in Texas as this is a complicated area of law. I'd be glad to help if you like. Sincerely Rita Boyd atty. 214-750-0500

__________________
Sincerely,



Rita M. Boyd
Attorney at Law
www.FamilyAttorneysTexas.com
(972)380-8000 Telephone

My 8 year olds bio dad pays child support sporadically and has not covered her on insurance. There has been no direct contact for at least 2 years. My husband wants to adopt. Can we???

It depends. I'd need to hear more of the facts of the case. Based on what you've written you wouldn't meet the statutory grounds for termination. However often when I speak to people in person I discover other avenues of attack. I'd be pleased to speak with you about your case. My phone number and location changed since the July posting above. My new phone number is 972/380-8000. Please call for a consultation. Rita M. Boyd Attorney

__________________
Sincerely,



Rita M. Boyd
Attorney at Law
www.FamilyAttorneysTexas.com
(972)380-8000 Telephone

Hi! My grandson has been in our care since the day he was born. Over four months ago his mother decided to move out. She has seen him very little during this time. Infact when she first moved out she went four weeks without calling or coming by to check on him. This last time it was over 6 weeks. We are providing all of the care for him and receiving nothing from her. What do we need to do to seek custody of him in the state of Texas. I know that a child is considered abandoned after 90 days in our state but where do we go from here?

I took my son to see his dad in MS. his dad decided he didn't want to give him back to me. there was a little assault involved so i called the cops. they said with no court orders he could take the child due to the fact he was holding him when the cops pulled up. I am tryin to get a paternity test but have been told tx can't help because my child lives in MS and MS can't help because i live here. i don't want it to get to where i am considered to have abandoned my child when he doesn't allow me to visit or talk to my son. so please if there is something i could do let me know. thank you

My son is 27 months old his father has not seen him since he was 15 months old the day he went to jail on a domestic violence violence charge. His father has yet to seek him out or to pay child support of any sort. How long must this go on before I can legally file for child abandonment and his paternal rights are involuntarily surrendered? Do I need to have any sort of documentation? If so ...what? His fathers name is on the birth certificate and he carries his fathers last name if this makes any difference what so ever.

I am currently the legal guardian of a 4yr old boy while his mom is in iraq as a helicopter mechanic contractor. his father is not availble. he has been with us for almost a year. his mom has only been in his life for 2 years. she has bounced him from family to friends. she plans on returning to the states and dropping him off at another house. Can she do that? I live in NH, the child is from Texas. He also has severe speech delay. he can not handle another drop off. she has only seen him for 10 days in the last 2 years. she needs to be stopped before she destroys him. she wants to drop him off in michigan. does the child have a say? and can she continue to do this? I need advice fast. Please i do not know where to begin. is this abandonment? can i legally do anything about this?

Have you browsed through the information in LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center to learn more about your issue yet? See: http://www.lawinfo.com/consumer.html. You should certainly try to speak to a lawyer to determine what legal options may be available. In the meantime, you may be able to learn more on your own. Search the "Free Legal Resources" tab, or browse the Consumer Resources. Good luck.

My girlfriend currently has a nine month old and she doesnt want the father to be a part of his life. He doesnt really help out with him at all and he doesnt want to pay child support.He pays no attention to him when he visits him. And we were wondering what are the laws on abandonment? How long must he go without seeing the child until we can get him for abandonmet? And what all areas have to be covered until he is forced to give up his rights to him?