(Letter to settle out of court) Can you read this letter and tell me how it sounds, please?

This letter is an attempt to settle the termination of guardianship before going to court.

Please read it and give me any advice.

The letter needs to persuade the child's grandma (the guardian) that it is the best decision to allow the child to move with her father and step mother.

The guardian has stated the father must have own home before she will 'allow' the child to move, the letter needs to prove it is better to stay in the current situation.

Thanks....

June 28, 2009

Dear Guardians (Daughter’s Maternal Grandparents,)

It seems like the girls just got out of school, but here we are half way through the summer, already! With the new school year approaching, (Wife) and I would like to discuss with you a possible change for (Daughter).

A few years ago, I do agree that I was unable to care for my daughter and provide a stable home for her. I appreciate all the help you have given (Daughter) and me. I am so grateful you could help give (Daughter) the best life possible while I have been working hard at getting my life together.

As you know, I started a new job. I love this job (and new line of work) and can see a long future with this company. They have excellent employee benefits; in fact, health benefits will be available to all of my dependants and me shortly.

In addition to this big step, (Wife) and I have been planning for the future and we are proud to see everything start to fall into place! Now, I am ready to give (Daughter) the stable loving home that she needs and deserves.

(Mother-in-law), (Father-in-law), (Wife) and I have been discussing what is best for the future. When (Wife) and I moved into her mother’s home to help after (Wife)’s grandmother passed away, we had not planned to stay this long; but we have developed a system that benefits everyone, especially the girls. Each of us contributes something to the household and we all work together to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Dividing the household to move to a separate address would have a negative impact on everyone! The girls would be forced to change schools; (Wife) would have to return to work and would no longer be available to care for the girls afterschool; (Mother-in-law) would struggle with her mortgage payments, (Father-in-law) would need to hire a home health nurse to periodically check on him throughout the week and several other hardships would be created if we were to move.

(Mother-in-law) will be giving (Wife) and me the house when she retires and I am restoring the house little by little, so it would not make sense to move. Not only would moving make it difficult for me to continue working on the house, but it would be silly to make such a change then turn around and come back to where we started in a few years.

Giving children, a loving stable home and an opportunity for the best education possible are essential for them to grow up as responsible well-balanced adults. The current arrangements are ideal since it allows (Wife) to be home to care for the girls and the girls are zoned for high quality schools.

HM Smith is just blocks away from our house. The school has received high achievement status for AYP and is Clark County’s Southwestern Region Model School. Students participate in many fun educational activities, which include field day, several contests, assemblies and field trips throughout the year. HM Smith recognizes students for achievements each semester such as A Honor Roll, A/B Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, Golden Rule and AP Reading Excellence. At the end of the year students who maintain their achievements for the entire year, receive awards and prizes. HM Smith also puts on an annual talent show! ((Daughter) talks about how much she would like to participate in the talent show, all the time.)

I realize it must be difficult having to get up so early to drive a long way to work and having such a busy day as you do; not to mention, having the additional tasks of getting (Daughter) to school, picking her up and, after a long drive home, cooking dinner. I see how finding time to relax could be hard. It must be extremely stressful and exhausting for you, I know it has been for (Daughter). (Wife) and I both have noticed a change in (Daughter)’s behavior that is also affecting her at school.

Although (Daughter)’s final grades were As and Bs, there are several areas that she did not meet standards and teacher comments about behavior problems. During the year, (Daughter) complained that she was struggling in school, because she did not understand her homework and no one at Safe Key could help her. At one point (Daughter) brought home an unsatisfactory slip and explained to us that it was actually her second one. Additionally, (Daughter) told (Wife), how sad she was to miss out on field trips and other fun activities (Activities normally offered by other schools.) during the year, because her school could not afford them.

(Wife) has a great schedule that really works for Hayley a