How to gain custody of my child?

Question

I am a single mother to a 5 year old girl that sees her father (we are seperated, we were not married, but he lives nearby) occassionally on the weekends, he doesnt arrange times to come, doesnt call to talk to her often, calls unexpectedly expecting to to see her when other plans have already been made, doesnt provide financial support for her and doesent think that he is ever in the wrong even though it clearly upsets my daughter, I would like to know the process that I would have to go through if I wanted to gain outright custody of my daughter and if anyone has been through the same thing and what they did with regard to the law and custody. I am in the UK. All answers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

I am in the US so the laws are most likely a little different.
But if the child already lives in your custody you already have de facto custody.

(de facto adj. Latin for "in fact." Often used in place of "actual" to show that the court will treat as a fact authority being exercised or an entity acting as if it had authority, even though the legal requirements have not been met. )

Most judges dislike moving the child from one environment to another. Therefore being the mother you should have a good chance of obtaining permanent custody...

Go find a lawyer (Barrister?).

As far as the father and support of the minor child .
The law views it as a set of scales.
One side rests monetary support and the other side rests visitation ...
In order for him to visit the child he will be forced to even the scales by providing support.

Answer 2

make a list and a court date. thats what my mom did, adn if your daughter wants to live with you, you can have her talk to the judge. the judge only cares about eh kids needs in this case, so whatever benifits the kid most is what the judge will go with :D

Answer 3

You really need to talk with an attorney about this