Single parent Relative adoption

David, The process is different for a relative. DCF's primary goal is to reunite the family and if that can't happen, placing the children with a family member is their secondary goal. Though I'm not 100% sure, I thought I heard GA doesn't financially compensate immediate relatives, who are foster parents. I would check into this. I would also see if the children would be covered under the state's insurance. If you were financially able and if DCF did take the children, then you could throw your hat into the ring. If the paternal grandparents were interested in the kids or whatever other relatives might be interested, then it would ultimately be up to DCF to decide which relative would get the children. One thing I've discovered is relative adoption or fostering isn't for the faint of heart. It can easily divide a family. If you were to get your sister's children, she would know where you lived, worked, and if she didn't then other relatives would know and might tell her. This could be a problem if you think she might be dangerous or could become violent. When given a caseplan, things she would need to accomplish or attempt to accomplish in order to get the children back, to work, she might expect for you to be more lenient when it came to visits or phone calls. Also, what would your role to the children be? A lot of families struggle with this. Would you be the twins' uncle or would you be their dad? I know a woman, who took custody of her granddaughter for the second time when the little was 18 months. She has now adopted this little girl, who is now 4. In any given conversation, she jumps between calling this little girl, who is her legal daughter, her daughter and her granddaughter. What message is that sending to this little girl? Will your family respect the role you take in your nieces or nephews or niece/nephew's lives? And if not, would you be willing or could you minimize contact with family, if the line in the sand was drawn? I would definitely read up on the research regarding children of schizophrenic parents. And if you believe your sister is doing any types of drugs, I would research those too. With all this being said, if she doesn't have an open case with DCF, then she could easily slip under their radar. And even if she does have an open case, the state would have to prove she is unfit or unsafe in order to take her children, as would the grandparents. Also, I would post this on the relative adoption board. I hope your sister can get well and do what's best for her and her children.

Thanks for the reply. I'd despaired of hearing from anyone. You've basically confirmed what I was thinking. I hope she gets things right, too. One of my biggest worries is that, if their paternal grandparents are given custody, I'll be cut out again. Her other three, with her first husband, were all but cut out of my life by their paternal grandmother. I mean, I'd see them from odd time to odd time, but that was it. For the first years of his life, her oldest(a boy) was my darling, so to speak. We seemed to bond almost instantly. I miss that. Anyway, thanks again for the response.David

David,I'm glad I saw your post and responded. I'm sorry you were cut out of your nieces and nephews' lives.I hope this new year is prosperous and better for you and your family.

david, Good luck!!

David just stay prayerful....