Want Custody of my Niece - Brother & Sis-In-Law Dead

[eickje]

Texas -
My brother and sister-in-law passed away last week, and I want to gain custody of my 2-year-old niece. Right after they had her, they expressed that they wanted my husband and I to raise her if anything ever happened to them, but we have yet to find that in writing anywhere. Here's the issue: my niece's 60+-year-old maternal grandmother is suddenly also interested in custody (although she has showed very little interest in getting close to the child until now). We have a stable home (we are buying our home, she rents)and great, flexible careers, a lifestyle that most closely fits that of her late parents (active, outdoorsy, etc.), a living pattern that most closely relates to their former living pattern, the child has more of a relationship with us (me, especially), and we are what her parents wanted (although this last one won't stand up in court unless we find documentation). She loves other children, and she would be a big sister/aunt to our twins (we're pregnant with them now). What are her maternal grandmother's chances, and what would help us in court? Thanks so much for any help.

[brisgirl825]

Who has her now?

[jslopez711]

Originally Posted by eickje

Texas -
My brother and sister-in-law passed away last week, and I want to gain custody of my 2-year-old niece. Right after they had her, they expressed that they wanted my husband and I to raise her if anything ever happened to them, but we have yet to find that in writing anywhere. Here's the issue: my niece's 60+-year-old maternal grandmother is suddenly also interested in custody (although she has showed very little interest in getting close to the child until now). We have a stable home (we are buying our home, she rents)and great, flexible careers, a lifestyle that most closely fits that of her late parents (active, outdoorsy, etc.), a living pattern that most closely relates to their former living pattern, the child has more of a relationship with us (me, especially), and we are what her parents wanted (although this last one won't stand up in court unless we find documentation). She loves other children, and she would be a big sister/aunt to our twins (we're pregnant with them now). What are her maternal grandmother's chances, and what would help us in court? Thanks so much for any help.

Have you talked with the maternal grandmother? Express to her what brother's wishes were. Don't come across like you are coming across in this post. Open your mind a lot more and understand why she want her grand-daughter.