cps visit

[tortuga]

Hi guys, I'm a new member but longtime follower of the forum. Today I had a scare like no other. Cps came to ask if my son and I were living in our van due to a spiteful persons actions. What should I do?
:huh:
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[akrvbob]

No one can advice you without a lot more information. How old is your son? Are you homeschooling, is your son in school? Are you indigent?

CPS is really bad news! None of us are lawyers so we may not be the people to ask. If you can afford it I'd get a lawyers advice. If not then see if you can find a legal aid center that can advice you for free.
Bob

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Is that Children's protective services?
Can you move? You are dealing with individuals that all see things in a different way. One worker may not see any wrong doing, another may.
You may not have time to get a lawyer, or have one appointed to you.

 

[wagoneer]

living conditions and child's age are critical .

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

I think you need to GET OUT OF TOWN. Just my opinion. They can, and will, take you son from you.

 

[tortuga]

Thanks for the input everyone!My son is 12 yrs. old and he is homeschooled. I work a seasonal position that keeps us very happy. Also Im in the process of moving my cargo trailer to a smaller town that really doesn't mind vandwelling.I have contacted a lawyer because cps is calling me,my parents,my ex constantly and I don't trust them.

 

[akrvbob]

It's tempting to try to outun them but i doubt if you can. Most states are hooked together and they could even put out an arrest warrant or Amber Alert on you.

Get a lawyer!! This is not something to be getting internet advice about!!!!
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

I would also advise seeking legal advice.
Government agencies are not to be trifled with or trusted.

 

[tortuga]

I contacted a lawyer as soon as a social worker showed up. However I'm waiting for the attorney to finish with court today for a call back. They are not really familar with mobile living. I guess when I posted I was feeling like maybe someone on this forum had some experience in this area. I'm 37 and never had any problems but after dwelling for almost a year i realized be prepared when dealing with leo government officials and such.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Hope you can resolve this very soon and smoothly.

 

[highdesertranger]

best of luck turtle. what area, generally are you in. highdesertranger

 

[Spirituallifetime]

If you can afford an RV trailer and rent a space in an RV park then there should be nothing they can do. A van or a cargo trailer parked on the street are not considered to be living quarters so therefore they may have a problem with that.

 

[tortuga]

Update: Talked to local lawyer but it was $2000 just to retain her. So I contacted cps and went in and faced it alone. False allegations other than the van. Luckily my lil sis let me set up a temp. homebase. I'm in eastern nc.Love the weather but people don't accept a person just choosing a different lifestyle. I previously owned a 2000 fifth wheel 34 ft. but it got water damaged & I really wanted something more simple to maintain. So not sure if I want the camper setup again.

 

[cyndi]

Now that you've got a home base, I would be telling anyone that asked that you are homeschooling and as a part of that traveling (aka road-schooling).

There are a couple of FB groups, websites and forums with whom you can network or gather ideas.
This website has all kinds of links and resources
http://www.familiesontheroad.com/


If you do Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RoadschoolingFamilies

 

[tortuga]

Thanks cyndi Im definately gonna check those out.

 

[akrvbob]

Are you able to move, or are you stuck there? If you can move you can probably go back to the van but if you can't now that you are in the system you may want to at least stick to an RV park to keep them happy.

A possibility is to run an ad on craiglist looking for a situation where you can put the van on someones property and use their electricity and water and sewer. Many rural areas have that with mini-farms and ranches. Worse come to worse buy a small travel trailer and set it up with hookups and you should be fine. The rent probably won't be much and you could be in a very nice spot.
Bob

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Are you actually in the system yet, as in do they have a case against you or simply a complaint?

 

[tortuga]

I am able to move anywhere in nc. I was thinking the same about a small campground. Maybe for the winter just to see if my ex-inlaws cause anymore problems. They were the ones that were mistreating my son and didn't like that I confronted them with calling cps. So here I am making lemonade out of lemons! Cps only has a complaint about me not a case.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Update: Talked to local lawyer but it was $2000 just to retain her. So I contacted cps and went in and faced it alone.

If it turns out you need future legal help, try

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Regards
John

 

[Bethanne1976]

Hope you can resolve this very soon and smoothly.

Its really Disheartening to hear this story. As a single parent its so darn expensive to try to do it all alone. Just incase the gal is still reading this thread- one option is becoming stationary in a year round RV park. I have a strong Nomadic desire. I have moved 3 times in 3 years to 3 different states! Its not been easy because I have lived in houses. The food stamps and the medicaid are HUGE HELPERS. I feel as if Im judged alot because I receive those benefits. Ive done alot of research this past year- I am getting ready to leave the rent rat race and buy a fifth wheel rv and put it in a year round rv park that is considered a mobile home park by law. I will tell you this clause i just found in regards to SNAP benefits in the state of Tn. Please keep in mind this is not a law, nor anything that can be used in fighting cps, and it is especially not legal advice. heres the clause as far as receiving "public assistance" food stamps in TN: Other vehicles not counted are those used for family transportation, to go to and from work, to produce income, for subsistence hunting and fishing, as the household’s home, to transport a disabled household member, and to carry the household’s primary source of heating fuel or water. In other words you can qualify for snap assistance even if you live in an RV. DUE TO THIS CLAUSE- and I'm not a lawyer, it appears Tennessee is RV friendly. Ive been watching Bobs channel for a year and a half and trust me I have just wanted to get up and pack the kids in a van and go, but I had to compromise with those desires because of the kids needs. You only have 1 child and hes 12 , hes home schooled, yall in a cargo RV. If its clean, and you have food water heat power shelter and separate sleeping arrangements I cant imagine someone making a big deal out of it. If hes home schooled yall have a legal residence somewhere obviously. Its not against the law to travel and work- and as long as your kid is with you I would think you're good. If someone called them on you and made a report stating that living conditions were not good they are gonna want to prove that. Unfortunately this happens a lot to GOOD PEOPLE out of spite or NOSINESS of some. My heart goes out to you- but honestly if you're going to travel full time you need to get a fifth wheel. Its an apartment on wheels and a much better option when you're traveling for work. Traveling and working is not against the law. Personally, as for me I have opted to buy one and put it in a long term rv park that is considered a mobile home park- then when i want to travel on vacation we will camp in our van. It just looks better. And it sucks cause you have to fork out the money to get it done. But as a mom if you want to fulfill youre dreams of travel its an option. You can do this, just do it right. Bobs friends have been so friendly as to share bits and pieces of ideas like this to me over the past year. What I have just told you was a completed puzzle of numerous ideas from a ton of people full time rv living. Best of luck! and Prayer to you!