Alright. My boyfriend and I live in Alabama, but my parents live In Texas. My parents want to file for custody of my 10 month old daughter, but I don't wish to fight it. I am a single mother and my daughter is currently living in Texas with my parents.
What can happen if I don't go to the custody hearing? Will I get into legal trouble or is there a way to write/type up a statement and give my signature confirming that I want my daughter's grandparents to get custody of her?
Yes, you can cooperate with their petition. Hopefully they have an attorney who will use this fact to speed things along. If you are a fit parent you should try to maintain your rights as a non-custodial parent so you can get visitation.
The child's father has rights as well, independent of your rights.
I agree with Robert, and would add that if you do not go to the hearing, the judge can grant default relief that you may not agree with. If you want to be involved in what happens with your child, you should definitely attend the hearing. Good luck to you!
Your best option is to contact a local attorney who can help you work with your parents on this issue. It is never a good idea to ignore legal proceedings. However, that does not mean that you cannot cooperate with your parents. The attorney can prepare the proper documents to help you retain rights you wish to retain and to relinquish rights you wish to relinquish. It is better for all concerned, particularly your daughter, to do things properly.
You should come back to Texas and talk to some family law counsel regarding your actions and their future effects if and when you ever want to be a parent in your daughter's life. Also there is much more at issue than custody, including visitation rights, support and medical support. You need to take an interest in this now, and you need to go to court because it is about your child and her best interests. But yes, you can agree for the grandparents to have custody of her. If you have been served you have until 10 a.m. of Monday following 20 days to file an answer. After that a default judgment can be taken against you. Consult family law counsel about what you are doing and what it will mean later.
