Need Help...nephew is possibly coming to live us for the school year!

[chager]

Does anyone know what we need to do legally if our nephew comes to live with us? I know we need some sort of custody papers, but I really don't know exactly what we need. I will need to enroll him in school here but again I don't know what I need to do that either. Also would he need to be on our health insurance or would he stay on his parents insurance? Obviously something will have to be put in writing concerning his medical bills he may have. (Ok, I am currently thinking of the 2 ER visits my son had had this year )
This is a very new area for us. I know there are problems in his home and felt really bad when his parents jumped at having him come here. They live in another state. Nothing is totally set yet and I did tell them that if this is going to happen then it has to happen before school starts. This child has begged for two years to come live with us, but his parents have held out. His mom actually asked me if he could come here. I was really shocked. If anyone has done something like this I would appreciate your advice! Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

Does anyone know what we need to do legally if our nephew comes to live with us? I know we need some sort of custody papers, but I really don't know exactly what we need. I will need to enroll him in school here but again I don't know what I need to do that either. Also would he need to be on our health insurance or would he stay on his parents insurance? Obviously something will have to be put in writing concerning his medical bills he may have. (Ok, I am currently thinking of the 2 ER visits my son had had this year )
This is a very new area for us. I know there are problems in his home and felt really bad when his parents jumped at having him come here. They live in another state. Nothing is totally set yet and I did tell them that if this is going to happen then it has to happen before school starts. This child has begged for two years to come live with us, but his parents have held out. His mom actually asked me if he could come here. I was really shocked. If anyone has done something like this I would appreciate your advice! Thanks!

If you are taking about taking over legal guardianship, you will have to have that done with a lawyer and through the courts most likely. For him to be on your insurance, you will probably have to be his legal guardian. You can also get temporary guardianship, but he would probably have to stay on his parent's insurance. I would get in contact with a lawyer and a family counselor and see what they have to say. How old is this boy?

 

[swilphil]

I don't think you have to have legal guardianship to have him come live with you. As long as his parents give you some sort of power of attorney, you will probably be okay for the time being. I would first call your school district administrative office and have them tell you what they need to enroll him. Depending on your state laws, you may need to contact the state's Family Services office.

I think it's wonderful what you are doing. Good luck!!!

 

[Traveller]

My niece moved in with me when she was 8 for a school year. First thing, custody and guardianship are not things that parents can assign at their own discretion. Any arrangements that formal would need to go thru the courts. Second, you can enroll in school with the normal stuff (birth cert, SSN, etc.) and explain that you are the aunt (it is not uncommon and schools have dealt with GP and other relatives before with "unofficial" custody, trust me...). Finally, I would make sure you have a clear understanding with the parents about what the financial arrangement will be. I paid for everything with my niece (private school, uniforms, clothes, activities, allowance, etc.) and my sis and BIL did not contribute. I got to claim my niece on my taxes that year, however. But we worked all of this out ahead of time. Also, at work I went to the HR person and explained my situation and I was able to add her to my insurance. I'd be happy to try to answer any other questions.

 

[chager]

Thankyou for your replies.I was wondering if we could just do a POA but someone said I had to have a custody order to register him for school. I haven't had a chance to call the school yet and talk to them about it. I was told about a conversation that took place and basically his dad told his mom to bring his stuff back with her tonight. (She went home due to a family situation) I guess I will know if he was serious in a couple hours
I spoke with another baseball mom last night and she suggested finding an attorney and could recommend a couple if we needed her to. Her job has something to do with custody cases I guess. (Although we really didn't get into it too deep. It was late after the game.) This is alot to take on I know but I feel that if someone doesn't show this boy some love and set ground rules we will lose him to the darkside! We also have to really talk to our son about it becuase he is an only child so this would be a change for him. I also was told our neice commented she wants to stay with us too. (SHe is 7 and her brother is 10. ) We are not even close to being set up to handle a little girl or a 3rd child but we would manage if we needed to!
Speaking of children they have all just arrived to play. Thanks for all the comments and the input.