Has anyone here sucessfully fought for and won custody of a sibling or other younger relative?

[ada]

This is my situation right now: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1243221

I really want to try and get custody of him, although that's the first time I've typed that. I'm scared to put it out there for fear of it not working out, I guess.

Will the fact that I'm about to have a baby hurt my chances? My age? Should my boyfriend and I get married? I haven't ever even considered getting married, but if it would help I'd do it in a heartbeat. Don't get me wrong: I wouldn't marry someone just to help my chances. My boyfriend and I are having a baby, we live together, and we've been together for six years. We are both college graduates with good jobs, a house (albeit rented), and no criminal history on either side.

I have an appointment with a family law attorney tomorrow but was told in my original thread that some of you might have advice based on past experience that might help me.

So, honestly, is this possible? Do I stand even a glimmer of a chance here? I'm just so afraid to get my hopes up.

[Polliwog]

Unless your parents offer to have him live with you voluntarily, you need to go through CPS. Call them and give them the information you have. They will decide what the next steps should be.

(((HUGS.))) You're in a tough spot.

[krisnic]

Is your mother compliant with her medication? CPS would need to be involved unless your mother was just willing to give you custody. CPS would need to know how often she leaves him with you, what you are responsible for (clothes, transport, etc), how you provided for him. Then they would want to know why you are calling now and not before - tell them about the accidents and him being scared of his mom. If she is not taking medication for her mental illness and is acting out in front of the child, that would probably be cause for removal from her care. Just be careful, she may know it was you that called and cut you out of his life. If he is removed from her and temporarily placed in her care, if/when she gets him back she may cut him out of your life. If you have a lot of pull in what goes on with him right now, I might suggest to your mom that you take him more frequently. I would say something like: "We have so much fun together, why don't DP and I take him for a couple nights?" and then when the baby is born: "He does so well with the baby, and really enjoys him/her, is it okay if we just keep him here for a couple nights?" Would she object to all the time at your house? A couple nights may just turn into all the time. Document everything, every conversation. You never know when you might need it all.

[Bellabaz]

We wanted to do this with my little sister back whenshe was in high school. My brother and sister in law looked into it but the laywer (we were all in PA at the time)said it would be almost impossible to win. My bro offered to let lili sis live with them until my dad kicked out his crazy(now ex)wife (who was the problem). My dad wasn't having it. It made for a sucky 4 years.

I am sorry for your situation. Maybe just offer to keep him for extended periods of time. Talk to the school. The pp have good suggestions.

[htcamommy]

My friend's mother died from a drug overdose recently. My friend was 22 and her sister was 14. Their father was in jail for 25 years, the only living grandparents were immobile, and she still had to fight like hell and jump through more hoops than you can imagine. She had to prove that she could give her sister a more stable home than foster care. In fact the child is technically a ward of the state in her sister's care. To say this is a difficult process would be an understatement of a lifetime.