step mother vs. aunt

[snowwhiten7]

What am I to expect...

I am 30 with 4kids. One of my kids is 8. She is my stepdaughter. I love and have legal custody of her. Her father and I were married for 5years. We have not seen him in 2years as he is not stable. My step daughters' mom died two years ago. Her mom had not really been involved with her daughters life; she was on drugs and proven unfit since the beginning. The bio moms' sister has subpoened me for a custody hearing. She lives in MI. and I in OH. I have always been stable, my step daughter has never met her aunt.

[Singlemom]

I have never been in your situation but I do know a lot about the laws and be strong. The courts are not going to take her. First, she has brothers and sisters which she has bonded with (even if they are not really related.) The courts truly look for the best place for the child and she has had a stable relationship with you. She is also in your community. (school, church, sports...) Do not start to worry just get everything you can that proves her community connections (positive report cards/evaluations, 4H stuff, sports trophies...) and it will be ok. You can also call CPS and have them eval you and have a positive CPS report on hand for the courts. I had to do that with my ex. He kept trying to say I was doing things I wasn't and the judge was really impressed that I had taken the initiative. Good Luck and get a lawyer now!