my parents are entering a pre adoption phase to adopt my 2nd cousin in which my 1st cousins have lost all. ..?

Question

Parental rights.  My parents are asking my wife and I to be listed to take custody of him if/when my parents die.  What happens say 5/10/15 years down the line and our circumstances have changed,  like having more children of our own, and we feel we can't take care of him? How legally obligated are we? What would happen to him if we couldn't? This is happening in the state of Michigan.

Jen · Accepted Answer

If your parents adopt this kid, and then they're struck by lightning... you'd be getting not just the kid but also their house and their estates, right? It shouldn't be either-or, if you can't afford another kid then you shouldn't be producing new ones, there's already a family member in need right there in front of you!

ABCXYZ · Answer

Wow, what's the big deal? Why couldn't you help out? And wouldn't your parents list some financial help in their will to go toward caring for this child?

Sounds like there may be some other reason besides being purely selfish and into your own brood that you wouldn't want to get involved. I would decline now if you see it as being such a problem. Someone who is actually 100% willing to take this child on should be selected

frockney · Answer

I agree with the two previous answers but I would still say yes, because the likelihood that your parents die when the children are still below adult age is rather low and the likelihood that you cannot afford to have them then (they would be older and better able to take care of themselves than babies) is also quite low. 

If these two terrible things did happen, you would still have the possibility to ask for help from social services or the American equivalent.

Stop worrying and sign.

? · Answer

It would just give you guys first dibs at adopting the kid. It would not give you a legal obligation, although perhaps a moral one, because if they think you're there they may not be asking anybody else.

? · Answer

In all honesty, if you can't handle having another kid, then you shouldn't produce any more.

You aren't obligated to this child. What could happen is he goes into foster care, and you could lose out on seeing him again.

Corina · Answer

IF you dont want the responsibility then say something now! Dont wait till 10 years down the road to tell these kids you dont want them.

? · Answer

Nobody knows what the future holds.  It's your decision and if you have any doubts, just say no.

Bobbi · Answer

You can always decline the child if the time ever came.

Nayeli · Answer

It is one child. I'm sure you could take him, however if you don't WANT to then don't sign.

my parents are entering a pre adoption phase to adopt my 2nd cousin in which my 1st cousins have lost all. ..?

9 Answers