What are my rights as a parent/legal guardian?
It depends. There are several levels of mother and father, and only “presumed” mothers and fathers are considered parents with full rights and responsibilities. It is important to speak to a lawyer to understand your rights. What are my rights as a family member? As a family member, your rights can be virtually nonexistent. Depending on your relationship and the circumstances of the case, you may have some statutory right to be given preference for placement- if you come forward. You can go to court and remain involved if the court determines that it is in the child’s best interest. What are my rights as a family friend? As a family friend, your rights are nonexistent. However, courts are recognizing more and more that children are better off when placed with people with whom they are familiar. Therefore, you may be a NREFM (Non related Extended Family Member) and the court will treat you accordingly — meaning that can go to court and remain involved if the court determines that it is
