need information

[marnbuk]

My daughter lives with her BM and is 6 years old. Her mother has moved her 12 times in less than two years, never given notice of change of address, every babysitter has been arrested in presence of child, BM spent childs last birthday in jail, house raided for narcotics and items found, bailed boyfriend out of jail at least 5 times over last two years, BM went to jail for truancy, refuses to seek medical care, CPS took children for one week from BM due to filthy house, the list goes on. I am going to seel custody but my attorney wants to wait till she moves to another county due to the judge we have. She recently gave one of her children to his father because CPS notified her they were comming. I live in Amarillo, Texas. CPS completely messed up the last report. they closed the case but we now know the house the BM lives in has been condemed and there is raw sewage exposed. I have made complaints to local law enforcement, Austin office of CPS (DFPS), senator, and the judge presiding. What should I do now with BM? My attorney quoted me 10,000.00 for custody battle. Does that sound reasonable and how do fathers ever get the money for this? Any advice would be appreciated I need to get child out of this mess.

[CustodyIQ]

If you are a good parent with no significant criminal past and you can provide appropriate living conditions for the child, and if everything you outline is true, you should have a slamdunk case.

You will need credible evidence of everything you outline.

I can imagine that you'd spend $10k by the end of it all, sure.

But, again, if your attorney is competent, and if you have evidence of what you say, and if you're an appropriate parent in an appropriate home; you should prevail.

As for getting the money, many people must take out personal loans, max out credit cards, go into debt with the attorney and make payments, etc.  It's not easy.  But it's necessary.

[marnbuk]

How much proof is enough? I have police reports, CPS reports, witnesses, and she has another child whose father also has things he has witnessed and is going to try and serve her for custody at the same time. I worry that if it isnt enough for CPS to do anything is it enough for a judge? I have no criminal history, never missed a child support payment, always carried medical, own my home, and have a decent job. I also recently found out my daughter has missed 8 days of school this year(school has only been in session for two months) and didnt even enroll her for the first week of school. Do I need CPS? Everyone has the same opinion that they are almost worthless but they carry a lot of weight in court. Can anyone recommend a good attorney in the Amarillo, Texas area?