Custody of grandkids

My daughter is wanting to join the military and needs to turn the kids over to us to do so. One of the recruiters told her to fill out an agreement and file it with the county. I'm not sure in the wisdom of this as I am not sure if that turns the kids over to us a legal guardians. The coverage of the kids in regards to insurance and such things may prove to be a problem, But I'm not sure as I have had no such dealings in these types of matters in the past. Any suggestions from those who do?

Thanks
Don

Whoa, be really careful here. I work with the state laws of Michigan and this is a very complicated situation. I have no idea what the Texas laws look like but read them VERY carefully.
You want to be able to make decisions for the children in legal ways while your daughter is absent, for the safety of the children but (in MI) you would not seek guardianship of the children.
Hopefully someone can help you out with this. Know any lawyers on a friendly basis?

I wonder why she has to "turn the kids over to you" - there are plenty of single women in the military with kids and after basic training and tech school they can take the kids to whatever base they get stationed at - also, if she is in the military her kids should/will automatically get covered on her tricare insurance - if this is a temporary thing while in basic training I don't know the rules, but I'd double check the "turning over" part and if the recruiter is telling the truth. She should be able to join, kids an all! :-)

Don, I was thinking of joining the Army when I was 19. I had a 1 year old son and wasn't married. The Army wanted me to do the same thing. Guardianship I guess, till she gets out of bootcamp? It should be just temp. and so that someone has "legal" say in the kids life as far as health, school, etc. while she is at boot camp. All should resume as normal after that. Do some checking to be sure though. I'm sure the recruiter should be able to answer all your concerns. Good luck, Elizabeth

Thanks for the Info all around I appreciate you've given me more info than anyone else has to this point.

Don

Don, I got to thinking some more about your situation and our Michigan laws.

I'm not trying to pry, but is the father of the children an issue? Perhaps your daughter is concerned that you be "next of kin" if she is unavailable instead of the father. In my experience, the father is normally next of kin before the grandparents unless provisions to the contrary have been made.

If you want the children to automatically be considered your responsibility instead of their father's responsibility, that is a different issue than your daughter signing over her children to you. In MI, you can appoint temporary guardians "in case of" and you can also petition for termination of parental rights of one or both biological parents.

Obviously, I don't know what your situation is, but these are just some thoughts I had on the subject. I hope it all works out without too much trauma - I know paperwork in MI takes FOREVER!

Hi...i was in the military & any single parent has to have a legal plan for custody of their children should they have to deploy somewhere or go remote or any place they can't take their children such as boot camp...basically, being a single parent in the military doesn't exclude you from any duties and the military wants to make sure the children will be taken care of....i imagine there were problems years ago (this has been a requ't since at least 1987 most likely way before) that created a need for this requirement...having guardianship capabilities will ensure that you can get any needed care, etc required for the children while the parent is gone

if the father has any custody/visitation then i would "assume" that needs to be taken into account

this obviously doesn't get into the nitty gritty but is a basic explanation of the "whys"

lynda

Now this is beginning to make more sense - temporary custody whilst in basic, tech school, deployments - etc. I guess the "turning over" part threw me off :-)

Snipe~when my brother served in the military, he had a similar plan. The papers allowed me to take his children to the military hospital and clinics for appointments, to shop on post for their needs and etc. If you're not near a military post, arrangements are made for their care with a civilian( non-military) hospital and/or drs. Also allows you to enroll the kids in school, etc. I only had to do it for a short period while he attended a school out of state, where no kids were allowed. They also have resources available to help you through the process, for example how to obtain medical care, prescriptions. etc. The recruiter can give you all the resources available with websites, teleplhone numbers, etc. When and if you need to assume responsibility of her children, you/she can request her military commander to assist you with direct contact people. The legalese sounds scary, but it's temporary and her permanent custody remains.

Well it seems that the Army is not sure what they want. Johnson county will not file anything to do with a minor unless it is court related and the recruiters want a county stamp which they won't get unless Danaca turns over all her rights to the kids, so who knows. As for dad well hes a piece of work, he's not a criminal, drugs or anything of that sort just a philandered and so self centered that his own pleasures come before the needs of the kids, hence the divorce. He is remarried and well on his way to another divorce and to say the least unstable. I think the matter is resolved but only MEPS what ever that is will be the deciding factor now.

A little grip session now, I went to Tarrant county to get some records for this little project and upon entering the building I found out that I had to remove my steel toed boots and pass them through the xray machine. Guess what no chair to remove the boots and no chair to put them back on. I let them know I was not HAPPY :(

Don

Well at least it doesn't sound like the father will fight you over the kids!

Well here is the wrap up. Danaca went to MEPS which I guess means Military Examination and Physicals Station, figured that out all by myself. The Army in there infinite wisdom just pretended the kid do not exist their just relatives. She aced what ever test it was she had to take and now has the choice of anything she wants to do. Her choice in the medical field she wants will get her an $18,000 bonus for a 4 year enlistment on top of her $5000 enlistment bonus. So there you have it.

Don

Congrats to you and your daughter!

Thanks

Don