Need help regarding custody of niece

[AuntieNUncle]

we need help to understand the right procedures. my niece is 14 1/2 and she does not want to live with her father because his wife is abusive and neglects her since it is her step daughter. her biological mother has never had custody of her, the courts took her away when she was a baby and gave her to her father. her mother was a drug addict back then and that is why. she continued to get lice and was used as a slave around the house to take care of kids. the step mother yells and abuses her all the time and also has people live at the house and was almost molested by one man. the man was kicked out but was allowed to move back in. her father does not do anything and leaves and continues to go back to her. my niece no longer wants to live there. her biological mother can not afford to take care of her because she has another family of her own and financial obligations to take care of. both parents agreed to let my niece come live with us. we have to enroll her in school and take care of her needs. the parents live in nevada and we live in southern california. we have a notorized letter from the father stating we have temporary guadianship to put her in school and make medical decisions for her. MY QUESTION: Is this sufficent? Is there something else we should do to protect us and her? We want it to be peaceful and not cause any problems. WHat kind of paperwork should we have? She wants to stay with us until she finishes school - 4 years.

Can someone help us? Thank you

 

[ohiogranny]

It sounds like all you have is a power of attorney, that basically lets you act in the parents' place. They may be able to give you guardianship, but I'm not sure how that works with 2 states involved. Maybe you should consult a local attorney.

 

[clraissa_12]

I live in Ohio and am in the same predicament, except my neice is 4. I had power of atteny for the first 2 yrs. then went and filed with community Legal aid for guardianship,because i have learned that with P.O.A you actually have no legal rights to the child. P.O.A allows you to take her to the hospital, enroll her in school, but allows them to get her whenever they want. If your looking for a permanent solution guardianship, then adoption, is best. I live in Ohio and am not sure wheather your laws and mine are the same.