need to know fathers rights: ex wife just recently passed away

[looloo86]

my husbands ex wife just recently passed away. they had a 3 yr old together whom we now have custody of. long story short: her parents are taking us to court to try n take the boy away. theyre being very ugly about the whole thing and even teaching the child his father is 'the bad guy'.
hes not, he works at a prison and im a librarian. theyre wanting to dictate where he goes to school and they want him every weekend. I understand theyre sad, but theyre over stepping theyre boundries. i want to know exactly what are his rights as a father. i feel like we're getting screwed.

Where abouts are you ?

[looloo86]

east texas

[Gbyte]

The husband has priority for custody...by a LONG shot. They are flippen out afraid to be separated from their link to their child. It's hard...it's sad....and it's hard on you guys.

Offer them a standard non-custodial parent visitation schedule. Mid-week for a couple of hours (if they live close enough) and every other weekend. The won't likely get more than that if Texas even has a clause allowing grandparent visitation when a parent passes away. Offer 1 or 2 weeks in the summer for vacation, some holiday time etc.

[tbyte]

You need to sit them down and let them know that you will simply not allow your child to be around people who are interfering with your parenting.
They either cooperate, or that will be the end of it.

[looloo86]

we have tried to talk to them even infront of a counsler. we do let them have him a few hours now n again and a night a wknd. these people get an inch and want a mile. but the judge is making us do things against our wishes. like making the child view his dead mothers body...he has night terrors now. the worst thing is his granddad is a PREACHER!

[tbyte]

Are there any court orders currently in place granting them rights to see their grandchild?

[looloo86]

nope. we are awaiting court for the whole custody battle. all the judge said was let them see him now n again...

[tbyte]

Then it is totally at your discretion, and should only be in public places with you present. Let them know, in writing, that contact with your child is dependent upon them supporting your parenting.
And mean it.

[looloo86]

you know what we thought of that too. theyre having all these fund raisers in the child's mother's name to pay for all her medical bills. well medicaid paid for all that. so guess what theyre raising money for? LAWYERS!! i think we should get a percent of that and support. Glad to find someone who agrees with me! =)