Suggest going to Borders or nearest book store and looking though some of the many fathers rights and child custody books. They'll help you understand the process. Knowledge is going to be your best resource. What does ND law say about parents rights/times? What do you want?
The clerk at the court can help you fill out the right forms. You might want to check out fathershelphotline.com as well for some lower cost legal help.
You do have rights. Don't doubt that. You should be able to file Motions for Parenting Time, there's a downloadable form for setting up a parenting time plan.
A few things to be aware of:
- child support will factor in...
- because your daughter is so young, you'll see some bias from the courts towards it being 'best' that she spend the majority of her time with mother. However, that will mostly impact overnight visits, you should be able to go for as much visitation time as you want (hour a day, or few hours twice a week), etc.
- It will feel like it sucks (because it does) but as your daughter gets older, you should posture yourself for 50% custody....
- Do not fall into the trap of trying to negotiate UP from some low number like 10% visitation or something. Make them negotiate down from your entitled 50%.....save you trouble downstream..
The clerk at the court can help you fill out the right forms. You might want to check out fathershelphotline.com as well for some lower cost legal help.
You do have rights. Don't doubt that. You should be able to file Motions for Parenting Time, there's a downloadable form for setting up a parenting time plan.
A few things to be aware of:
- child support will factor in...
- because your daughter is so young, you'll see some bias from the courts towards it being 'best' that she spend the majority of her time with mother. However, that will mostly impact overnight visits, you should be able to go for as much visitation time as you want (hour a day, or few hours twice a week), etc.
- It will feel like it sucks (because it does) but as your daughter gets older, you should posture yourself for 50% custody....
- Do not fall into the trap of trying to negotiate UP from some low number like 10% visitation or something. Make them negotiate down from your entitled 50%.....save you trouble downstream..