Fathers Rights?

Question

We are trying to get full custody of my bf's daughter and dont know where to start. We feel the mother is unfit and is not able to continue support for the child. What do we do and is there some legal advice or pointers as to where to start the process?

thanks

Answer 1

I would suggest checking with Legal Aid first. These folks are attorneys that work Pro Bono(free) or go by your ability to pay according to your income. I would also check with your State Attorney General's Office- Child Support Division and ask to speak to an investigator and explain in full detail what is goping on.

Answer 2

By 'full custody' I assume you are referring to 'physical custody'.

You have some good advice in here, get an attorney, compile a list of issue that cause her to be an unfit mother, facts only, not opinions. Questionable parenting skills do not necessarily deem someone as an unfit parent.

Take that list to your attorney, and see what they have to say.

Most important, make sure that he is prepared to care for the children himself if the two of you break up, you may or may not be around forever.

Answer 3

Do not seek the advice and counsel of a father's rights lawyer. They use this phrase to play on the emotions of a father and charge exhorbitant rates ($385 to $500/hour). They will force delay after delay to run up their bill. They will charge you for an hour if they talk to you for ten minutes. They will try to double bill you. It goes on and on. There's a prominant father's rights law firm in the Chicago area that does this to all their clients. It's unethical and they should all be in jail.

You need to get a lawyer. Go on the recommendation of people you know as to an affordable and ethical one. You will need to keep a diary of examples of what makes the mother unfit or unable to support her child. Get all the evidence you possibly can. Make it all honest; don't exaggerate. It may take a couple of years of effort through the courts to accomplish what you want. It will be tough. The courts still tend to side with the mother as far as residential parent and primary custody. You will have to prove her grossly unfit (alcoholic, drug abuser, abusing the child) for the courts to give the father full custody.

Answer 4

first you need to write down all the reasons she is "unfit" and make sure they are not caddy, petty reasons.

good reasons would be -- the child isn't well fed, is dirty, the home is filthy, the child is neglected, left home alone, is abused (hit or screamed at all of the time)..

and then, of course you will probably have to come up with witnesses and/or ask for a psychological evaluation of the mother. in some states, when this evaluation is requested BOTH parents have to take the evaluation...

if your reasons aren't sound, your boyfriend doesn't have a chance in the world...

talk with an attorney.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter what YOU feel is unfit; if you have proof that the mother is on drugs, prostituting, endangering her childs life, etc then you have a good chance of custody...ther has to be concrete proof...

Answer 6

im mixed up here,, anyways, perents have all rights, only by a court can anyone change it, or for one to get rights,father or mother, ok my boo boo, mother is no good, and the father is good,, why shes not paying? i would take her to court then if she owes money, my brother did this to his xwife whos on drugs and shes a screw up,, shes unfit,, he got a lawyer and he's in the right.. if shes not paying have them lock her up,like they do men.. the law varys and its never right the system stinks im sure in every state.. Wish you all best of luck, hope you get your daughter, i bet shes all mixed up already...

Answer 7

get a good lawyer ....