Custody of grandson

[sassy3n8fan]

My 15yo son just found out today that his ex-girlfriend gave birth on 11/10/2006, to a son.  She wants to put him up for adoption, my son and our family want to keep him.  She says if my son doesn't let her give him up for adoption, that she will keep him, not letting my son (or I) have custody.  What can we do, and where do we go first?

[ocean]

He needs to prove he is the father through the courts. He needs (not sure if of his age if he can do this himself) to file for a paternity test and custody/parenting plan. You can file yourselves through your local court house. Proving he is the father is the first step then seeing what she wants to do. If she decides to keep the child, then you will file for a parenting plan (use your son-grandparents do not have a lot of rights).
Your son needs to get a part-time job after-school and show that he is responsible enough to take care of this child. You will need to show you have all the baby things (crib, room, diapers). Enroll him in a parenting class to show the courts. There is a lot of info on this site.
Good luck!

[sassy3n8fan]

He has already been told that he needs to take a DNA test, and will do that.  The thing is, the mother wants to put the baby up for adoption, and we do not.  I was told that the baby will then have to go into foster care until custody is determined.  However, I have been reading that "relative placement" is preferred over foster homes, and wouldn't that mean that he would come home with me (his grandmother)?  Also, the mother's family evicted her, so she has no place to go, and since she wanted to give the baby up, is totally unprepared with the lack of necessities for the baby, that we will have in the next few days when this baby is due to be discharged from the hospital.  I am hoping that we will be given the chance to provide for this baby.  I will look into parenting classes tomorrow morning.  

[Ref]

There are many out there that specialize in this. Get your consultation ASAP and they will file the proper papers to make sure your son and you can have custody and stop the adoption process.

It would mean that they would give the child to you if you are proven to be family. Since your son's results aren't in, that may not be the case.

Best wishes
Ref

[mistoffolees]

Your best bet is to find a good lawyer.

Once he has established paternity, she will not be able to put the child up for adoption without his approval.

I would personally wait until she offers the child for adoption (proving that she has no interest in raising it) and THEN step in demanding custody. If you threaten custody too early, she will just keep the child to spite you - which isn't good for anyone.

Given the circumstances, it's quite likely that you could obtain custody even if she doesn't want to give the child up, but only if your son is going to take an active role in raising the child. If NEITHER parent wants the child, I'm not sure what would happen. A good lawyer can help steer you through this.

BTW, regardless of what happens, you'll want to spend tiem working with your son on what it means to be a parent. The better he can establish that he's a responsible, mature adult, the better his chance for custody or - in the worst case - liberal visitation.