My husband and I desperatly want custody of his 4 1/2 yr. old daughter since her mother keeps neglecting her both physically and emotionally. She almost cries when we drop her off, since her mom has primary residence custody. She's told us of so many things that her mom and her mom's boyfriend do to her so we placed a report with Child Protective Services in the summer and they didn't do anything about it. We don't have the money for a lawyer, how can we do something so that her fulll custody is granted to us?
2006-12-18 06:27:04 · 7 answers · asked by chiklatin_03 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
The only way to modify custody is to go to court and request it from a judge, but there is help out there if you truly believe this child is being abused or neglected.
You were right to contact child protective. Continue to contact them anytime you have new suspicions.
If you wish to file for custody of his daughter you need to go to the Family Court office of the county where the child resides. Ask the court clerk for a petition to modify custody. The paperwork is not overly difficult. It's mostly information on yourselves, the mother, and the child and a narrative section on why it is the child's best interest for you to have custody.
Ask the court clerk if there is an agency in the area that assists in the completion of these petitions. Often legal aid will assist free of charge, or in the case where there is child abuse or neglect you can often have the petition completed by advocates or lawyers at a domestic violence agency. They will be able assist you in completeing the petition, answer any questions you have and support you through the process without cost to you.
If there is not an agency that can help you, don't give up yet. Complete the petition to the best of your ability and submit it back to the court clerk. They will let you know if there are any glaring mistakes. They will give you your court date and time. At the first appearance you will be able to explain to the judge why you are filing. He or she will make a temporary ruling and then will dismiss so that you can find a lawyer or file for a court appointed lawyer.
If you qualify for a court appointed lawyer then that lawyer will be able to represent you through the rest of the custody case. Be prepared that the case could go on as long as a year before a final decision is made. It will be difficult, but if his child is truly in danger then you know what you have to do.
If you have any additional questions please contact your local domestic violence agency. They can at the very least point you in the right direction of someone who can help you.
Best of luck.
2006-12-18 06:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep making reports to Child Services. Send them certified. Find a Pro Bono Lawyer. Have his daughter draw pictures and go to the community mental health center. Have her work with a therapist. Contact Legal Aid. Just don't give up. Good Luck.
2006-12-18 09:58:00 · answer #2 · answered by cookie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there no way you can get help with payments for a lawyer? If I was you I'd keep on putting complaints in to the CPS until they do do something about this problem. I wouldn't take everything his daughter says to seriously though. If the Little girl knows it stresses you out leaving her there she may well play on it. My Little boy went to school today and told him i didn't give him any breakfast-he'd had a fry up!
2006-12-18 06:38:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is not any such ingredient as a armed forces divorce. All divorces are civil concerns. even nonetheless, the quantity of youngster help is in step with earnings. If there's a court docket order in place that states how lots newborn help he ought to pay, then that's what he desires to pay. the only way he ought to petition the courts to decrease the quantity is that if his circumstances replaced and he by surprise all started making critically much less funds. As for sending extra funds each and every time his ex asks for it, he's no longer obligated to try this and he's commonly a fool to realize this.
2016-10-15 04:37:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the most heartbreaking issue parents face. Unless (sadly) there is enough physical evidence to require a trip to the ER you are facing major problems. Go to Legal Aid and get on the list for help. Document EVERYTHING SHE SAYS. Consider making it in the mother's best interest to transfer custody. Be the best parents you can be when you are with her.
2006-12-18 06:40:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jackie G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
keep complaining about the mothers behavior and try to take pictures if any sign of physical abuse...try to talk to your general attorney at your local city and ask why they can do to help you...try to look for charities that help with the issues...child protection citizen or some sort of groups that will help you guys...hope this help and good luck to you ..the child will be better in your hands like in her own mother...just keep loving the child...when she grow up she will love you more than she will her own mother...
2006-12-18 06:49:22 · answer #6 · answered by Rosie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well there is two things you can do. one is keep callin cps eveyday tell them you are not going to stop calling until something is done if they wont do anything tell them that you are going to go over there heads find out each persons name that you talk to first and last. then you call the cops and report the abuse to them and keep call and tell them that you are going to call them everyday until something is do about it. and you tell cps and the cops if something happens to that little girl that you will see to it they you have there jobs and you will press charges for not helping her. if that dont work then you go pick your kid up and leave leave state never turn back there is people out there that will help you hide you just have to find them. Look you really need to do something and soon for your kid i will pray for you and her good luck and god bless
2006-12-18 08:32:14 · answer #7 · answered by whiteangel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋