What do courts take inconsideration for child custody when both parents are deceased?

I am fighting for custody of my neice and nephew. Both parents are deceased now. Their grandmother on the mothers side, which the children have never met or known, are also trying to fight for custody. The grandmother lives in a 2 bedroom home and I live in a 4 bedroom home. I do have the children now. They are doing very well, in school and at home. The children are also being seen by a hospice lady(aka a cap cousler), I also have a DCF lady on my case. I filed for custody of the children in February and she filed in March. I'm just asking if anyone knows anything about what the courts go based on, please feel free to give me some advice on the situation at hand. Thank you.

The children are 5 and 7 years old. They have adjusted to living with me. They are doing extremely well. I have filed court papers and I also have been keeping a journal on everything that has been going on with them.

Their teachers and guidance cousler have also praised me on how well they are doing and they have said that they look, smell, and act a whole lot better, than the situation they were living in.

I am not a lawyer, but it sounds to me like you have the upper hand.They sound well-adjusted (as much as they can be after this tragedy) and you sound very level-headed and caring.You are doing all the proper things to look after them.I conferred with a law officer (he lives here) and he agrees with me .I do not think that they will be taken from you .If they are happy and well-cared for , why would a judge take them? Grandma will probably want some kind of visitation arrangement..so you need to be open to doing that..but all-in-all, I would say you got it.Good luck and god bless you for opening your home and heart.

They consider the "best interest of the child". I would think that you definitely have an upper hand being a blood relative w/a substantial history of care for the children. And she has no history... just the fact she is the maternal grandmother. I would follow all recommendations given by the courts and counselors to beyond a doubt show that you too are concerned about the best interest of the children... and establish them in the community as much as possible, extra curricular activities, school, friends, etc. The more roots you can put down as a family unit the better. Best wishes.

who can best provide safety continuous stability and welfare

Income, health, credit, condition of house, previous marriages, is what comes to mind, about like adoption. BUT they do have stronger grandparent laws these days and they will have to see them regulary if lose just as you can request if you lose. BUT it seems you got the edge so far. *mamatx