Can a foster parent get custody of a child?

Answer by  patti (29325)

A foster parent can get custody of a child if the parent/legal guardian wishes to relinquish custody. A foster parent would not likely be able to wrest custody from the child's parent based on the foster parent's belief that he/she would be a better parent. Best best is to speak the authorities who placed the child in foster care.

Answer by  Hewitt302 (1720)

Yes. If you've been the child's caretaker for a year or more, in good standing with child's social worker, you can file a petition for custody and request a hearing.

Answer by  MsLaw (63)

If a foster parent has physical custody of a child and the parents have not followed the court's plan for reunification, parental rights can be terminated. If the foster parents then decide to adopt that child, they may retain physical custody and be given legal custody. This is usually done after all reasonable efforts toward reunification have been exhausted.

Answer by  patti (29325)

The court decides what party is best to be awarded custody to the benefit of the child. Often, if parents aren't considered, grandparents or aunts and uncles are considered. Certainly a foster parent who has been providing a stable environment for a child is a candidate for custody. Ultimately the court weighs the options and decides.

Answer by  patti (29325)

Foster parents can apply to adopt a child that become eligible for adoption. Child custody goes first to parents, then grandparents/family members, if appropriate. If there is no family, the child is a ward of the state and the court (social services)has custody. Foster parents serve to provide safe haven until the child can be returned to his/her family.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

Yes, if the child's parents' parental rights have been terminated AND if the foster family has completed the necessary process to be eligible to adopt.

Answer by  Dean (4035)

In a foster parent situation, the state has custody of the child. In order for a foster parent to get custody, the parent(s) would have to sign a legal document agreeing to give up parental rights. The state could then arrange for the foster parent(s) to have full, permanent custdy by way of adoption.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

Foster parents can seek to adopt foster children if the child's legal parents have had their rights terminated and no biological relatives are seeking custody.

Answer by  aisyf (9)

Yes a foster parent could get custody of child depending on valid reasons and character wise how foster parent is.

Answer by  Anonymous

What about a foster family trying to take a child years after the child was returned to the mother? The father just passed away. There are other children now and they are not trying to take them