Q&A

Can you file for custody of your sister?

Can you file for custody of your sister?

In order to legally gain custody of a sibling you will need to petition the court to become their guardian. Your sibling must typically be under age 18 or otherwise legally dependent, and you must be over age 18 or legally emancipated.

How to get custody of your brother or sister?

In order for a sibling to obtain custody rights, they would have to prove to a court that both of their parents are unfit or incapable in some way or that both parents are deceased. If the parents are not deceased, they will be required to state that they do not wish to have custody over the child. Examples of unfit parenting may include:

How old do you have to be to get custody of a sibling?

In order to obtain custody of a sibling, the older sibling must be an adult. The age of adulthood varies by state but is typically 18 years of age. In some states, such as Alabama, the age is 19.

Can a sibling be a legal guardian of a child?

Yes, a sibling can be a legal guardian if the age requirements discussed above are satisfied and the court grants the sibling custody rights. Courts presume the child is best suited to live with a biological parent.

Can a parent get custody of a child?

This is because courts do not typically grant custody rights to individuals other than the child’s parents. If a child’s parents are unable to care for them, adult children or older siblings are not automatically granted custody rights over their younger siblings.

Can an older sibling get custody of a younger sibling?

Older siblings can obtain custody of younger one. On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. In some cases where Illinois parents are not capable of taking care of their child, a sibling may attempt to get custody.

How can you take custody of a younger sibling?

  • Make Sure a Custody Fight Is Necessary. Ask your sibling’s parents or legal guardians to relinquish legal custody of the child.
  • If You Have to Go to Court. File an application for custody in the court where your sibling and his legal guardian live.
  • Making Your Case.
  • Know Court Rules and State Law.
  • Some Tips.

    Can I be granted visitation with my siblings?

    There are currently no federal laws that grant siblings inherent visitation rights. The visiting sibling must have the legal permission of the parents to visit with their siblings or they are in violation of the law. Permission includes when a sibling successfully petitions the state for visitation or is granted visitation time by the custodial parent.

    Do courts separate siblings?

    As a general rule, courts prefer not to separate siblings. Accordingly, if the court has decided that one child should reside with a particular parent, then it will normally follow that the other children should also reside with that parent.