can my mother in law adopt my children without me knowing?

[panda77]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN

a few years ago i gave my mother in law temporary custody of my daughters while my husband and i dealt with our issues. 2 years later she filed a petition to adopt (he and i separated) and a complaint of abandonment. the only reason i wasn't seeing or talking to my children is because my calls, cards and letters were not answered. i contested the adoption and my lawyer tried to set visitation up with her lawyer, his attempts also went unanswered. i went to jail and my lawyer dropped the case, still not hearing anything from her lawyer. my husband passed away during this time.
she claims that 30 days after the petition was filed a hearing was held and they had to wait a year for the adoption to be final. i was never notified, nor were any of my family members. i called once a week, still sending letters and cards, still no response. she claims that the adoption was finalized a year later and the state brought charges of abandonment against me. i still heard nothing, and had actually gone back to jail for 14 months, so if there were pending charges i would have thought they would have brought me into court while i was in jail. how would she have been able to prove abandonment if i'm still making attempts to contact? how would she be able to adopt if nobody even tried to get in touch with me? i have been out of jail for a year and a half now and am well on the way to getting my life straightened back out and would like to have my girls home. HELP!!!

 

[Isis1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN

a few years ago i gave my mother in law temporary custody of my daughters while my husband and i dealt with our issues. 2 years later she filed a petition to adopt (he and i separated) and a complaint of abandonment. the only reason i wasn't seeing or talking to my children is because my calls, cards and letters were not answered. i contested the adoption and my lawyer tried to set visitation up with her lawyer, his attempts also went unanswered. i went to jail and my lawyer dropped the case, still not hearing anything from her lawyer. my husband passed away during this time.
she claims that 30 days after the petition was filed a hearing was held and they had to wait a year for the adoption to be final. i was never notified, nor were any of my family members. i called once a week, still sending letters and cards, still no response. she claims that the adoption was finalized a year later and the state brought charges of abandonment against me. i still heard nothing, and had actually gone back to jail for 14 months, so if there were pending charges i would have thought they would have brought me into court while i was in jail. how would she have been able to prove abandonment if i'm still making attempts to contact? how would she be able to adopt if nobody even tried to get in touch with me? i have been out of jail for a year and a half now and am well on the way to getting my life straightened back out and would like to have my girls home. HELP!!!

have you been to your MIL's house to see the girls? been to the courthouse to check the files for adoption orders?

 

[Proserpina]

When was the last time you saw your children?

It IS possible that an adoption took place - somewhat unlikely, but possible.

 

[Gracie3787]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN

a few years ago i gave my mother in law temporary custody of my daughters while my husband and i dealt with our issues. 2 years later she filed a petition to adopt (he and i separated) and a complaint of abandonment. the only reason i wasn't seeing or talking to my children is because my calls, cards and letters were not answered. i contested the adoption and my lawyer tried to set visitation up with her lawyer, his attempts also went unanswered. i went to jail and my lawyer dropped the case, still not hearing anything from her lawyer. my husband passed away during this time.
she claims that 30 days after the petition was filed a hearing was held and they had to wait a year for the adoption to be final. i was never notified, nor were any of my family members. i called once a week, still sending letters and cards, still no response. she claims that the adoption was finalized a year later and the state brought charges of abandonment against me. i still heard nothing, and had actually gone back to jail for 14 months, so if there were pending charges i would have thought they would have brought me into court while i was in jail. how would she have been able to prove abandonment if i'm still making attempts to contact? how would she be able to adopt if nobody even tried to get in touch with me? i have been out of jail for a year and a half now and am well on the way to getting my life straightened back out and would like to have my girls home. HELP!!!

You really need to speak to a local attorney. There are too many issues for anyone on an internet site to be able to help you.

It is very possible that your rights were terminated for abandonment and an adoption was finalized. Typically incarceration can be considered as abandonment because it is voluntary. In addition, from what you posted it has been at least 3 years since you have even seen the children.

The only way to find out what happened will be to talk to a local attorney.

 

[panda77]

quick note...

i have spoken to the girls since then, almost every day for the last year and a half, before then i was in jail for 14 months and did not call the house because i knew she would press charges of harassment against me (which she tried to do anyways) but i did write letters from jail. prior to that i called at least once a week but she wouldn't answer or return my calls, not until the adoption was finalized i guess. i have seen them and have also sent them money on a regular basis to help support them. her argument is that they did not know where to find me, even when i was in jail, however that is not true whatsoever. my mother and brother both told her that if she needed to reach me and couldn't at the number she had for me she could give them a message to pass on to me. when i went to jail she was told immediately. her argument is based on lies, funny that she knew just where i worked or was living when she was trying to start trouble for me and sent the cops to my house on false accusations though.

 

[Proserpina]

Have you been supporting the children during this entire period?

 

[Seanscott]

If a petition to adopt was filed and you did not contest it, the court may have ruled that your consent was implied.
On the other hand, I cannot imagine the adoption was aprroved without you being contacted.

Sounds like a real mess - good luck.