Paternal rights in Missouri?

Question

I have found out that I have a child that I didnt know of. I am very financially strained. Within 2 months of the test my paychecks are allready being garnished for child suport. I know I need an attorney but cant afford one now deffinitly. I would like to get partial custody of this child but have no clue where to start, any ideas?

Answer 1

According to MO law:
“A parent not granted custody of the child is entitled to reasonable visitation rights unless the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation would endanger the child’s physical health or impair his emotional development.”

You're going to have to file a petition with the court requesting visitation. I did a search to see if I could find a copy of a MO petition that you could modify, and didn't see one. Download the Parent Plan from
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkjHqmUNFXkMATcJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3cmZiY2RyBGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTkEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDaTAyMV80Nw--/SIG=1581o0k2t/EXP=1162144618/**http%3a//www.courts.mo.gov/sup/index.nsf/d45a7635d4bfdb8f8625662000632638/629aab74004234eb862566e2006b5181/$FILE/Parenting%2520Plan%2520Guidelines.dot
and fill it out completely.
You'll also need a Filing Information Sheet from
http://www.courts.mo.gov/file.asp?id=385

For the petition or motion, I would suggest that you copy the following into a Word document, and put in the appropriate info and take it and the above documents to the clerk of the county where the child lives and see if you can file it as well: (The case number would be the number from the child support petition that was filed against you. You will, of course, substitute in your name, the child's name, and the mother's name into the peition.)


STATE OF MISSOURI )
COUNTY OF ______ )

CASE NUMBER:

(center this) MOTION TO ESTABLISH CHILD VISITATION

In the matter of child visitation in the matter of a minor child, CHILD NAME, the natural child of MOTHER'S NAME and FATHER'S NAME.

1. A petition was filed in this court on (date of child support petition), and a decision was filed on (date you were determined to be the father) naming FATHER'S NAME to be the biological father of CHILD'S NAME and establishing Child Support.

2. FATHER'S NAME requests that an order for child visitation be entered in this matter. FATHER'S NAME has filed a Proposed Parenting Plan in this matter on SAME DATE AS YOU ARE FILING THIS MOTION.

I swear/affirm under penalty of perjury that these facts are true according to my best knowledge and belief.

Respectfully submitted,

YOUR SIGNATURE DATE YOU ARE FILING THIS PETITION
YOUR TYPED NAME
YOUR ADDRESS


If the court clerk says this is not the proper format, ask if there is self-help available from the state that could assist you in finding and filing the paperwork.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The felony answer is not any. First, interior the state of Missouri, purely the courtroom, on petition of the dep. of baby's centers can unilaterally terminate your parental rights without an attendent adoption. And secondly, even in case your rights are terminated, any arrears no longer yet paid stay due and payable. AND via the way, what's combating you from submitting a sort 14 family contributors get entry to action to tutor reason for contempt till you do not have visitation ordered from the courtroom. in case you do no longer, then do no longer you think of it's time to document any such petition.?