Messages

Thanks Ocean. Your information was very helpful. I appreciate your input and recommendations. As far as filing for "sole" custody, I used the wrong terminology. I meant primary physical custody and joint legal custody. My daughter has been living with her mom, but I've always wanted her to live with me because it is in her best interest. Since 2006, I have also made every attempt to sit down with the mother and work out a mutually agreeable parenting plan that is in the best interest of our daughter. She has refused. Since we have never gone to court until now, I always thought she would come around and do the right thing. It never happened. I never wanted to go to court because I knew that it would be devastating to my daughter, but it has happened anyway. Had I known then (2006) what I know now, I would have filed for primary custody at that time, and much harm, especially to my daughter, would have been avoided. My child has already suffered significant emotional and psychological effects due to her mother's alienating and lying tactics, and unfortunately this will continue at an even larger scale with the upcoming court battles. 

I have a court date this coming September 14th regarding child support, but I've already gone to Family Court and filed a petition for visitation. I will also be filing a petition for custody/visitation shortly. Any recommendations?

One other question, I read somewhere that when someone receives a summons or petition, that he/she must let the court know that he/she has received it. Is this true. Or do I simply show up to court, prepared with the documents they requested, on the court date? Again thanks again for your information. It is much appreciated!

Respectfully,

TeoMar

First, thanks to all of you who responded with a desire to help me with my situation.

1) The mother of my daughter and I were never married when she was born.

2) My daughter is currently 9 years old. She'll be 10 soon.

3) The reason the mother is keeping me from seeing her is because that's how she does things. Rather than speaking with me and discussing things for the "best interest" of our daughter, she does whatever she wants because she thinks she can. I have always sought the best interest of my daughter while she has always sought to use my daughter to hurt me, and in the process has, and continues to, emotionally and psychologically damage her by alienating her from me by lying to her about me and about many other things.

I went to court this past Thursday and filed a "petition for visitation", but later found out that what I really needed to file was a "writ for the immediate return of a child". I will be filing for primary physical custody and joint legal custody shortly. In the meantime, I will be serving her with the "petition for visitation".

Also, is anyone out there familiar with Michael L. Weening? He is a lawyer who is in charge of fathersrights.inc. Is it worth the money to use him as an advocate and to get legal advice from him?

Thanks,

Teomar

I am wondering if there's anyone out there who can help me. My daughter's mother is currently hiding my daughter from me. I haven't seen my daughter since Thursday, 8/18 and the mother refuses to let me see her. She also refuses to answer my calls. I have given my daughter a cell phone so she can stay in touch with me. She usually calls me every day, but now she's not answering the phone at all. There are no court orders, despite the fact that on August 8th she served me with child support papers. I will be filing a petition prior to the child support hearing asking Family Court to grant me sole physical custody and joint legal custody of our daughter. Here's my question, what can I do in Court in the meantime to force my child's mother to allow me to see and speak to my daughter? I've already reported the situation to the police, but they told me there's nothing they can do and that I should go to Family Court or ACS to make them aware of the situation. An attorney has instructed me to go to Family Court and ask for a "petition for visitation". I would appreciate any reliable information.