My name is William. I lived in Florida state from 1996 to 2003.In 2000 to 2001 I was involved in a relationship with a woman named Jessica, we dated about 4-6 months. Our relationship was shorted lived and we split up in 2001. We went our own ways living in Dade county in Florida. I had not heard or seen from this woman until 2006 when I received an email from her. She was saying hello and I said hello back and looking through her profile I noticed that she had a daughter. I was shocked, the child reminded me very much of how I looked as a child. I ask the woman if the little girl was mine, she responded yes. I was in total shock and anger. Why hadn't she contacted me! She claimed she didn't know where to find me, although I had moved from the state in 2003 due to my military enrollment she had 2 years after my daughters birth to find me and even after I moved she knew where my mother lived and I was living with my mother at the time, she knew that I was in town cause she told me that she seen me a year after the baby was born. I submitted to a paternity test and it was confirmed that Im the father of Bryanna. Jessica told me that she was back with her exboyfriend for these last 6 years and that this other man's name was on Bryanna birth certificate, she made this other man believe that it was his daughter, she told me that she knew that it wasnt his because of the way the baby looked that she knew that is was mine because of the blond hair. Jessica was struggling with her relationship and wanted out with her ex and here she comes looking for me In October, 2006, I flew down to Florida from Washington state right after I got out of the military, to my mothers house to get to know and see my daughter, she was about 15-20 minutes away from moms house. We spent a wonderful month together and we have been in constant contact since then. The mother on the other hand has not been to easy to deal with. Her initial request was for money and I understood that she was part my responsibility. When I found this out that I had a daughter I started sending her weekly money orders to pay for daycare and other things, im giving her $85 per week and I think that more than enough for being on employment at this time. As the year has progressed the mother has not been very helpful. I am planning another trip to visit but she is threatening not to me see my daughter unless I get Bryanna's birth certificate changed to my name and give her more money. Apparently the previous man is threatening to sue Jessica if she doesn't get the situation fixed for fraud. I told her it was her responsibility and that if she tired to prevent me from seeing my daughter that I would sue for custody.
So here is my dilemma,
1. How do i establish custody from Washington for my child in Florida?
2. How do I establish child support payments and visitation rights for my child?
3. Do I get a Florida lawyer or Washington?
Any information, referrals or website that can be provided will be very helpful. I really want to catch up on the last 5 years that i have missed in my daughter life.
thank you,
William
So here is my dilemma,
1. How do i establish custody from Washington for my child in Florida?
2. How do I establish child support payments and visitation rights for my child?
3. Do I get a Florida lawyer or Washington?
Any information, referrals or website that can be provided will be very helpful. I really want to catch up on the last 5 years that i have missed in my daughter life.
thank you,
William