How hard is it for a father to get custody?

Question

I have a daughter who's mother moved her to Texas and wants to come move with her sisters and I. What are my chances? I had my daughter most of the time here in California enrolled in school with my kids, I took her to the doctors, and she played sports with my children. We never had a court order. Now my X got married and moved her out of state for about 3 years. My daughter calls me depressed and wants to come home, but her mom can be really difficult and don't know if I should even put her threw a custody fight if my chances are not to good. My daughter is 13 now. Please help!

Answer 1

Based on what you have said here, you have an awesome change of winning. Just like what everone has already said, she's 13, the courts will listen. Protect your little girl's broken heart and get her back!
First thing I would do, document everytime she calls and express' to you that she is sad and wants to come home. Secondly, file for custody in California. If the courts did not give Mom permisson to move her out of state, Mom might find herself in some trouble, so even better chance of getting your daughter back.
Go get her!!

Answer 2

Go for it. Nothing is more sad than a little girl taken away from the only home she's known, and being so far away from her daddy. You have a huge chance of gaining custody of her. At age 13, the courts will listen to her and base a decision on what she wants and needs. It also helps that she was with you most of the time before they moved. I hope and pray the very best for you and your daughter.

Answer 3

if your daughter is 13 then most courts will look at what her choice is for where she wants to live, the courts will also look into who the better parent is, but if your daughter wants to live with you then you have a pretty good shot at it

i got custody of my daughter when she was 3 only, so its not impossible to win

Answer 4

She's at an age where most courts would ask her who she wants to live with. If you are a good father and can support her, and she wants to come live with you you should at least talk to her mother about it. The child's best interest should always come first.

Answer 5

if your daughter is 13 then a judge will hear her side of the story and make a decision based on what she thinks is best for the kid and usually if the kid is unhappy and you are a fit parent and can prove it then custody will be awarded to the person who can provide best for the child and consider who she wants to live with.So your chances are pretty good at her age.

Answer 6

first of all does your daughter want to live with you , and second is she better of with you? if the answer is yes to either question, file for custody and list the reasons why, try to have friends and family that will back you up in your decision in your life, also dont bad mouth the mother for the papers or for the judge it looks bad. but try a lawyers free consultation to see what is the best route to start. i think its going down and filing

Answer 7

its not hard at all these days for fathers to get custody...since she is 13 a judge will let her decide who she wants to live with as long as you can provide a good home and steady invironment for her.......if you can do this...you have a very good chance of having your daughter with you......so what are you waiting for start the custody battle and win your daughter back!

Answer 8

It's pretty damn hard. All a woman has to do is make an implication of something and she's usually believed without question if what she says is even remotely plausible. A man can have solid proof of his accusations and people will still be skeptical of everything he says.

It's a very unfair world, women are evil as Hell and they get away with everything smelling like a rose unfortunately. But then again, you're divorced so I'm sure you already know this.