Can I prevent a grandparent from ever being allow custody?

[mh105129]

My in-laws are very controlling people. Every time we anger them in some way, or refuse to do things the way that they want, they threaten to take our kids away. My father-in-law brags about how he knows all the judges, the police and he can do what he wants. ( We live in a small town) My question is. Can we get some kind of court order saying that they can never have custody of our children, in any circumstance, such as death, etc? It's scary to always have that threat hovering above us. We want to move and escape them, but they said we can't take the kids if we do, and they will bankrupt us with court fees. Any advice?

 

[irish223]

My in-laws are very controlling people. Every time we anger them in some way, or refuse to do things the way that they want, they threaten to take our kids away. My father-in-law brags about how he knows all the judges, the police and he can do what he wants. ( We live in a small town) My question is. Can we get some kind of court order saying that they can never have custody of our children, in any circumstance, such as death, etc? It's scary to always have that threat hovering above us. We want to move and escape them, but they said we can't take the kids if we do, and they will bankrupt us with court fees. Any advice?

No, I don't believe you can get an order preventing them from being named custodians of your children in the event that you and your spouse can no longer care for them. You can put that in a will, but there's no guarantee that it would be honored.

You know, before I got to this part, "We want to move and escape them," I was planning to suggest that you move away! Unless you've had issues with CPS or criminal issues, there's no reason to believe that your in-laws can take your kids from you. They may be able to file for grandparent visitation, but that's not even a given. (I haven't checked your state's statutes.)

I wouldn't want to live near that kind of bullying, so if it were me, I would move.

Good Luck!

 

[mh105129]

We have never had issues with CPS or anything criminal. We are college students about to graduate. I doubt, even with his influence with the Judge, that he could ever actually take the kids. I just wanted a way to avoid court cost and lawyer fees, in case he does go through with his threats. Is it possible to sue for harassment? Maybe if his threats were on record, that would prevent him from trying to take them. Thanks, though.

 

[irish223]

We have never had issues with CPS or anything criminal. We are college students about to graduate. I doubt, even with his influence with the Judge, that he could ever actually take the kids. I just wanted a way to avoid court cost and lawyer fees, in case he does go through with his threats. Is it possible to sue for harassment? Maybe if his threats were on record, that would prevent him from trying to take them. Thanks, though.

Do you live with them?

He's not threatening physical harm, nor is he harassing you if the statements arise from an argument, IMO.

 

[lonelyinny]

grnadparents are blowing smoke

My in-laws are very controlling people. Every time we anger them in some way, or refuse to do things the way that they want, they threaten to take our kids away. My father-in-law brags about how he knows all the judges, the police and he can do what he wants. ( We live in a small town) My question is. Can we get some kind of court order saying that they can never have custody of our children, in any circumstance, such as death, etc? It's scary to always have that threat hovering above us. We want to move and escape them, but they said we can't take the kids if we do, and they will bankrupt us with court fees. Any advice?

go ahead and move and dont let them know your new address. they have no right or standing to prevent you from taking your kids.unless they can prove you both unfit, they wont get custody. since youre an intact family, they dont even have standing to sue for vistation. you and the op have the absolute right to decide who has contact with your kids.