Articles on Family Law
Now that I Have Custody of my Child, How do I Terminate my Child Support Order?
In NY, with a NYC child support order, how do I get the child support terminated when my daughter lives with me now, the non-custodial parent?
Hello I am 16 years old and pregnant. My boyfriend is 26. However I lied to him and told him I was 18. Can he still go to jail because I lied to him. Even if he just wants to help support his child?
The biological father of my now 4 year old son left me when I was 7 months pregnant, he was seperated from his wife or so he claimed at the time, they have 2 young children. He is not on the birth certificate and only temporarily paid support from when my son was 3 months to 1 year old. I met my husband and moved to the USA with my ex telling me I was doing him a favor and all support stopped as he claimed he did not want to give money to me and my husband to spend! We have a daughter and loving sister for my son and I just want to make sure that my ex cannot do anything to ruin my family, can he claim custody?
I am 17 years old, my mother has full custody of me and my little brother. I am gettin married but my father is paying child support. If I get married would he stop passing child support for me or what happens…? What is the law about this…?
Where a complaint can be filed against an ad litemguardian if there are proofs that he is biassed?
I am getting a Dissolution of my marriage, but I have had a baby by another man while separated from my ex-husband. Do I have to let the court know about my baby with another man?
As a child, my son had cancer and was given money by city police officers, (called a “10-13″) totaling 13,000 in case our medical coverage became exhausted. My ex husband and I have been divorced about 4 years now and he says he doesn’t have the money because he spent it on all the furniture that we owned at that time. When he left us, he took the money from our then bank account. What can I do to get back what is owed to my son?
A few years ago the court decided to just switch the papers to say my mother had and always had full custody. Now my father has been paying for child support to my mother even though I lived with him most of the time. Now I’m in college, and he apparently must continue to pay until I graduate college and live on my own… even if I go to graduate school. Is this legal, and do I have any factor in stopping this irrational child support?
My brother wife of 15 years had a short affair, which ended in a pregnacy. My brother and his wife decided to work it out and tho he was not sure if baby was his or the OM he was willing to raise it as his own, his name is on the B/C. Last week he found out his wife and the OM secretly met a few weeks ago and had a private DNA test done, which proved that the other man was the father, and behind his back last week they started court procedures to establish other man as father and visitation. Does he have any rights to stop this? Can the wife do this all without his permission?
I am an Active Duty Soldier (US Army) and was deployed in Baghdad, Iraq all of 2007. When I was in Iraq my wife committed adultery with another soldier and she became pregnant. Is there anything I can do to protect me during all of this, I just feel helpless and exposed while my wife who committed adultery on me with another soldier I am the one who has to send her my money every month, and she said she wouldn’t help pay for the divorce fee’s.
Recently major changes have happened wherein my daughter’s acting detached, having deteriorating school report, and disinterested in extra curricular school activities. At her age, it seems very ideal for her not to switch homes every few days. What do you suggest I submit to court as far as a modification in custody? Also, what are the chances of me modifying custody agreement?
In the state of Florida, do minors have the right to decide to change custody and live with a non-custodial parent?
My daughter is now 19 years old. Here father and I were never married and I did not pursue Child Support from him. She has been in contact with him over the last few years. He continually tells her how well his business is doing, but when she asked for a small amount of money he became ballistic with her. I want her to be able to get some money from this man, is there anyway that she can do that?
If my husband failed to file state tax returns prior to our marriage, am I now responsible to pay the past due taxes?
My husband was awarded physical custody of his two children, at the time his ex was not working. She was ordered to provide paystubs to our attorney but failed to do so and we could not keep him on retainer. The court order was done in Arizona and we live in New Mexico. How can we go about filing to get child support set up without having to go back to AZ?
I just spoken with DCFS Admininistrator Office about my child name keep showing up in the computer as being with an agency. However, my child has never been with an agency. I mention to the Administrator Staff that the case was closed a year ago. My question is? What court forms do I need to present to the Judge to show that DCFS did not close the case as she instructed?
I have been legally divorced since 2002 however never lived like divorced people. This year we split up and I moved out. Shortly after I became unemployed and filed for unemployment which I am currently collecting. He lost his job shortly after that as well. I’m extremely broke and bearly have food for my daughter. Please help with any advise.
I live in Texas and have a question about claiming both my kids on my 2007 federal income tax return. We officially became divorced in Feb 2008, however in 2007 I received no child support whatsoever from my ex for the months of June through the end of the year. Should I just file married filing separately for 2007 and take the deduction for both kids, and what if he has already filed and took the deduction for one the kids?
We live in Colorado & I want to add my wife’s name to our deed of trust. a 50 /50 situation. I’m assuming a quit claim deed is the way to go?
My ex-husband told me that he has a drug & alcohol abuse problem and that he needs to go into a rehab program. He has not done this. Do I have to continue to send my children on their weekend visits?
I live in Texas and I am going through a divorce. We have been separated since June of 2007. I received my 401K 1099-R form in the mail this January ‘08 and learned that 17K was distributed from my 401K account without my knowledge. What are the legal ramifications for her falsifying my signature and calling in and lying to obtain the disbursement from the 401K investment firm?
I am legally seperated from my wife, and she wont sign the divorce papers. I have children, and i have primary custody of them. I also have a girlfriend, is it ok for my girlfriend to be around my children? Ive kind of been scared because i know my ex-wife might try to find some way to use it against me. please help.
I am out on my own, I presently donrt work, but my fiance does, we have a home, and been together for a year now, my mother and I are in an argument and she now wants nothing to do with me, and saying I cant see or visit my son, and she is going to get grandparents rights to my other two who are 11 and 8 years old, I live in GEORGIA, and was wanting to get some advice on what should I do, is there anything I can do without having a lawyer?
Is a “Limited Power of Attorney” useful for child care issues, i.e. temporary guardianship, school related issues, child care, child support, etc.?
What is the legal penalty for not disclosing a previous divorce on a new marriage license? I was in a quick marriage when I was 18 and we quickly divorced never even living together as a couple. keep hearing that it’s against the law to not put this on the marriage license but what is the actual penalty? Are we talking a small fine or jail time? Besides how would they ever find out, who would care enough to go searching for this?
As of right now, my wife and I are separated (not legally, however). My wife’s name and my name are both on the contract. I’ve asked my mother-in-law to take my name off the contract since I’m not living there anymore. Also, I’ve tried to give a 30 day notice as well, but to no avail. Does she have a right to keep my name on the contract even though I’m not living there anymore?
We live in Idaho and have been raising our two granddaughters, age 7 and 5, since Halloween 2006. The father and mother of the 7 year old are divorced and the mother, our daughter, had been granted the tax deduction for the 7 year old from the year 2000 on. Our question is if according to IRS laws we are entitled to the exemption on our taxes?
I currently live in North Carolina with wife and 2 small kids. I want to move back to California to be closer to my family. She does not want to move. Can she get a court order to make me stay in NC?
I’m getting married to a man that has been previously married. His wife is presently collecting child support from him. She will probably take him back to court to ask for an increase in child support. Under Maryland law, is she entitled to come after my income once I’ve married her ex-husband?
My sister died in February 2007. She was married to the father of her two youngest children when she died. She has one older child with a different man. After her death both fathers signed a custody agreement for the three minor children to be raised by the maternal grandparents. Now both fathers are asking for custody of their respective children. We are afraid that the courts will allow the respective fathers custody and the children, who have expressed a desire to live with their father, will move and then later regret their decision. Do we have any hope of retaining guardianship of these children?
My husband and I have been married for 30 years. 18 years ago I had a brief affair and became pregnant. My husband is named as my 17- year-old’s father on her birth certificate. He is aware of the affair, but has raised my daughter as his own. Now, the wife of the man whom I had the affair with wants to know if he is the father of my daughter. Can she force me to have my daughter tested? Can she force her husband to be tested?
In December 2006 I allowed my son’s mother to relocate to Utah through a court order. Now in less than three months my son has been moved from Arizona (original state since birth), Utah for 1 month and now the State of Washington with no prior notice from mother. Since moving out of Arizona, mother has denied phone contact and visitation between my son and me. Will the judge order her to return or let her stay in Washington even though she did not notify me?
We have one child together who will be 4 this December. We were never married, and he left to move across the country when our son was 4 days old and has had minimal contact with him since then. The court has ordered joint custody while giving me sole physical custody. I have now been contacted by his current girlfriend who is 8 months pregnant with twins fathered by him. She has just filed a domestic abuse charge against him because he came over and rough housed her and left bruises. If he is arrested, and when the charges proceed, what can I do about petitioning the court for Sole custody? Would the court even consider my petition if the abuse is happening elsewhere?
I have full custody, both residential a legal custody of my (2)year old boy. The father has not seen his son either have asked to visit for about a year and a half. He is paying child support through the court. I want to move to a different state. Does he has the right to stop paying child support because we are moving? Do I have to notify the court or child support agency we are moving?
I have recently came across and issue, I have gotten pregnant by a guy that had a girlfriend. Last week I got a call from both of them telling me that they would like me to have an abortion and that I was lying about my medical condition that would put me at risk if I were to have another abortion. My question is that with all of these emails at work and phone calls can I or should I file a Restraining Order on both of them?
I have a 17 yr old daughter that wants my boyfriend to adopt her. Her father said he would sign a paper to give up his rights. My boyfriend would like to adopt her. Can this be done in the state of NC without me giving up my rights?
My step-children live in NJ and my husband and I are in PA. He has joint legal custody of children. My question is, numerous times on the phone and even in writing my husband has asked his ex to stop putting the children in activities that interfere with his visitation without discussing it with him first. Any suggestions?
I owned a home before my marriage. Now I am getting divorced and my husband has been added to the deed. Can he only get a portion of the house since the time we were married (3 years)? Is he entitled to more?
What happens when judge ignores best interest of child: we are grandparents who have custody of our 3 yr old grandson, CPS have proven parents unfit and neglectful. They were caught in lies in last court, concerning letting their pit bull attack gs, we had to drug test, they did not, judge still says little man has to go for visits.
My ex boyfriend and I have a daughter together and we live in the same town. He just started paying child support after I filed for it and has been trying to get me to stop it because he got a DUII and his license will stay suspended until he pays off all of the back pay. Since he now pays child support does he have any say in where I take our daughter? If that is the case, would I be able to stop the child support and move away without him having any say so about it?
I have never received official child support from my son’s father. My son’s father has helped to support my son from child care through high school. My son is now 18 and a full-time college student. Is my son entitled to receive anything from his father while he is in college full time?
We moved from Illinois about 5 years ago, have been married almost 17 years and my husband is having an affair with someone from Illinois. Last night he talked with the children (12, 14) about getting a divorce (I was attending an CoDepency Meeting), and my son (14) wants to go to Illinois with him. While I wouldn’t mind it , I don’t believe it’s a good idea for my son. 3 weeks ago my husband pushed me down in the driveway, I received 8 staples in my head, all because I was to ‘persistent’ in asking about the affair. I’m wondering what I need to do so my son isn’t shattered when they go to Illinois and live with her, being his age can I still maintain custody of him.
I am 16 years old. My parents divorced when I was 3 or 4 and my mom always gets child support from my dad on time. However, whenever I ask my mom for something, she says we don’t have any money. The only thing she pays for me is food. I pay for all clothes, shoes, and anything else I need with money from my job or birthday/Christmas money from other relatives. My dad also pays for my insurence, driving lessons, etc. I also do not get allowance. All of my friends with divorced parents get their child support themselves. Is there someway I could do this?
I just wanted to know if I can put life insurance on my ex-wife without her consent?
I live in California and I am currently dating a man who is going through divorce. His ex has promised to do whatever it takes to not allow their daughter to be around me during his time with her. The ex just does not like me and does not want me around her daughter. Does she have the right to keep their daughter away from him or me legally in the state of California just because she doesn’t like me? Or does he have the right to bring her around whoever he wants during his time with her?
I have a question regarding the language in my husband’s separation agreement with his ex-wife pertaining to his 401K. Is “appropriate court order” his divorce decree? Or does he need to file something additional regarding this part of his 401K? There is nothing in the divorce decree that further outlines specifics regarding his 401K.
My fiance has a 9 year old child who is living with us at this time since his mom is a drug addict trying to clean herself. This child doesn’t want to live with us and hates us and he even called child services on us and accused us of child abuse. He hates grown ups and anybody who tries to disciplined him, even his teacher and doctors. My fiance wants to give up his parental rights, but we are concerned about the consequences. We were told that my fiance could go to jail for abandonment of a child if he decides to give up his parental rights. Is that correct? is this a crime in the state of CT?
My Mother has been my father’s conservator & guardian for close to 6 years in the state of Michigan. My mother exhausted over 90% of their liquid assets into his care costs. The only thing she has left is the house. Was she entitled to any percentage of their combined liquid assets? Can she sell the house to make-up the percentage that is owed to her?
I have recently received a letter from a state agency wanting me to pay child support for a child that was born 15 years ago and that I don’t even know if it’s mine. From what I have found out so far, the man listed on the birth certificate had a DNA test done after the child was 3 years old and found out that it was not his child. However, he never had his name removed from the child’s birth certificate. I’d like to know if this man is still the legal father and therefore responsible to pay the child support and what kind of options I have in fighting this.
What is the proceedure in Oklahoma to file custody of my unborn grandchild, the mother is 17, unmarried and a meth user?
My husband bought rental property several years ago after we got married. The purchase was made in his name only. He now wishes to sell that property and use it to buy a lot to sell cars in. I do not want him to do so. Can he sell without my consent?
My husband and his ex-wife both agreed to a child support amount, was written up and all legal. She recently served him with papers that she wanted more money than he was paying, and wants to get back child support over and above what she had agreed on. We reside in Tennessee, please let me know if this is legal, or once an agreement is made how can she back up now and say she wants more?
My wife has denied me the right for Joint custody since our divorce in 1996. I am in arrears and now am being prosecuted by an attorney of the state. I could not pay support because of Economic Hardship with my employment career. I would like to know if I could fight for joint custody and sue my x wife for all the years she had not allowed me Joint custody to eliminate arrears and see my children more.
I have a termination of parental rights in place. It was granted in 2002. I have now found out that there is money in my sons name and was told to do an amendment to the TOPR. The lawyer I talked to said that this can’t be done unless you set aside the termination. IF I was to do this what is the likely hood of the father being able to get any rights if he even tried during the period it is set aside?
My fiance’s ex-wife has asked him to give up his rights to his two sons. My question to you is will he still have to pay child support? She is planning on getting married in the near future would the courts allow this. We live in the state of Missouri.
My ex wife and I were divorced in Bergen County, PA. She has now moved with my son to Northern New Jersey. She has file a complaint of domestication and she says it is for the sole purpose of legally stating that she resides in NJ now. In this complaint it now states a lot of different things. Such as paying support until the child is 23. How can I stop all these new things from happening?
Can I drop my divorce attorney and represent myself? I’m not happy with the service I am receiving from her and I feel that she is charging for extra work that does not have to be done.
I live in Austin, TX. If I divorce my husband of 20+ years I would want to relocate to Tyler, TX where I have family. My husband says I can get a divorce, but I cannot leave the Austin area since we have a 14 year old son. Is there a law that prevents divorced moms from taking their son to another town, leaving their ex-husband in the town that they have all lived in the last 20 years.
My son’s father and I were never married. He wasn’t there for the birth and is not on the birth certificate. He has been in and out of my son’s life seeing him only about a dozen times (he is now over two years old) sometimes with as much as a year between visits. I want to get child support from him but I don’t think its in the best interest of my son to have him around. I’m curious if I can get support from him without him seeing my son.
My son came to this decision after learning that his father (who had physical custody of our son while he was a minor) bounced checks for college tuition he had originally agreed to pay, claimed that he supported my son on his income tax returns for the past 12 years though he lived apart from my son and paid no child support or general support to my son, and left medical bills unpaid from while my son was a minor that are now appearing on my son’s credit report (our child support order had his father responsible for these bills). Does he have any recourse to “make” his father pay the back tuition to the college since he now is unable to enroll due to outstanding tuition bills and inability to make a “payment arrangement” with the school since his father passed an NSF check to the college?
I live in New York State and My husband knows I plan to divorce him and I have been doing the books for his business for the past 8 years. I gave the information to the accountant to do the income tax and received a call from him that my husband had, had an income of 93 thousand for the 2006 and would have to pay 30 thousand in tax returns. After that my husband filed an extension. I received a copy the returns today (because it is my right since we are still married) and he came up with a bunch of false deductions that lowered his income to 34 thousand this year. Can I sign them under protest because I don’t believe they are correct? And will that help me in court when I divorce? Or should I not sign them at all because I feel they are incorrect?
I live in Missouri and I have to pay for half of my sons college and I still am ordered to pay child support on top of that, do I have to pay the child support to my ex or is there any way I can pay that support directly to my son?
My ex disappeared for a few years now she’s back and wants back support, can I take it to court and fight it, or will I have to pay it? I have no idea where her and my kids have even been for the past few years.
Do I have to allow my ex-inlaws to visit with the children when the children’s father is out of town. The father works out of town and is not home most of his weekends. Do I have to allow his family to see the kids on his weekend?
Me & my daughters father fell upon hard times so I took our daughter to my parents and asked them to look after her they said they would no problem, shortly after this myself and her father were incarcerated myself for 5 months during the first months of my incarceration my stepfather and mother informed me they got guardianship of my daughter, myself or her father were never notified or served any papers, nothing, my parents knew our whereabouts at this time. I need to see my daughter what should I do what are my rights I cannot afford an attorney.
My son and daughter-in-law wanted to purchase a mobile home about 10 years ago. Their credit was bad, so my husband and myself took out the loan to buy it. They are now divorced. The loan payment amount is $ 333.24 monthly. I make a payment each month for $335.00. She sends me a check for $333.00. I am losing money on this. What are my options?
In my divorce papers my husband & I stated: No overnight guest of the opposiet sex while minor chidren are present. Does this mean until my children are of age or until I re-marry? Or does this mean until our divorce is final?
My ex-husband receives disability benefits, including food stamps. He is about to be recertified for his food stamps, and wants a letter from me stating that he has the kids with him at least 50% of the time, so that he can obtain more food stamp money and more in the way of assistance benefits. While I don’t wish to stand in the way of him receiving his benefits, I am unwilling to make such statements when they are not true, and I am afraid I would be opening myself up to potential fraudulent activity. Am I over-reacting to this, or are these warning sirens in my head going off for a good reason?
I have two adult children that I pay child support to. one is 22 the other is 19. the oldest graduated high school at the age of 20 the other is still in high school and looks like he will not graduate till he is 20 all so I have several issues that need answers. To me I am having my wages extorted by wash.state who at no point in time has made the mother accountable to the well being of the children. Is there anything legally I can do on any of this or do I just have to keep getting my wages garnished and me to live paycheck to paycheck.
I am separated from my husband and we have a 4 year old daughter together. He refuses to pay child support and he comes and goes in and out of our child’s life. He gets paid well under the table and he basically shows no income. I make good money and I’m afraid if I do file I will end up paying him support. Is this possible that he can pay child support and that I may end up paying him since there is no proof of his income?
i have 3 children and am divorced. my middle daughter age 6 said i touched her inappropriately during a visitation. i did not do this. since this dcf interviewed me, they referred to state atty office, i have not heard from the state atty office ever. now today i was served papers stating that my ex wants no visitation rights with my daughter and a continuance of visitation of 2 hrs a month with my other 2 children. they are asking to terminate my rights to my daughter. can they take my parental rights from me with my daughter? why cant i have regular visitation with my other 2 children? if they take my parental visitation rights, am i obligated to pay child support?
My ex and I agreed to my paying $300.00 a month in child support for my 3 children. The courts further stated that I need to keep medical insurance on my children as well. I really don’t have a problem with either of these conditions, however, now my ex wants me to drop the insurance and pay her an extra $100 dollars a month in child support. Is there anything which can be done about this?
My mother passed away in February of this year. My father, of course, now has my younger siblings. He remarried about a year before my mother passed away. If something were to happen to him and he would pass away, who would get custody over my younger siblings? So if something would happen to my dad, and my step-mom never went and tried to get custody of them, where would they go? And would I be able to gain custody?
My boyfriend’s ex-wife is upset because their 5 year old daughter jumped in the shower with me while I was taking a shower. I was about to get out of the shower when she started to get undressed and wanted to come in. Shortly after she came in I exited the shower and that was it. Then she started accusing my boyfriend, their daughter and I of taking showers together. I just want to know if legally she can do something.
Is there anything that I can do to protect any assets, such as 401k, collectibles, etc, before I get married, assuming that the spouse will not sign a prenuptial agreement?
Is my ex-wife required to supply me with items of necessity when my daughter is in my care, such as diapers; since I pay my child support regularly?
My wife and I have been separated for 15 months. During this time we have had separate accounts. 8 months ago I began seeing another woman with my wife’s full knowledge. Now that we are finalizing our divorce she claims that any money spent on my new relationship is community property and she is entitled to half of it. True?
I paid extra in child support for 3 years because my ex threatened me. We have just terminated the child support and I found out that while I paid in extra support, the courts did not pay that money out to my ex. What happens to that money? Can I get it back?
I filed for divorce due to verbal abuse towards my daughter and myself and physical abuse by his drunkenness. Now I find out he did not report “cash” income he received from a lawn service he has been doing for a few years. What is my chances of holding him responsible to pay the IRS without me being involved as I had no idea he did this?
I married my husband in 1993 six years later I left him, when I found out he was still married to his second wife. Are we still legally married even though he never divorced his second wife??
My ex-wife received full custody of our son while she resided in the State of Wyoming. My son has been incompetent from birth and is now 30 years old. Both she and my son live together now in Florida. If I want visitation with my son, what must I do and in what State must this be done?
In Florida, at what age can a Child decide that they do not want to visit the other parent?
So I guess what I want to know is if my son has any rights or do just the girl & her parents have all the rights. They are both 16 years old now & this is their baby - who then has the rights? My son & the ex or the ex’s parents? because every time we ask to see the baby it’s “I’ll have to ask my mom” My son does not have a job at this time & is going back to school in Jan. 07, he has had a lot of problems mentally dealing with everything & has depression & some other issues. Should we as his parents be paying the child support? We live in state of North Carolina & if my son wants to be in his childs life what steps does he need to take. What can I do as a parent to help him.
I am an airline pilot living in Georgia where I currently work. We plan on retiring in 3 years and moving to Florida. Can I get an address in Florida now, register to vote there, and get my drivers license there and stop paying income taxes on my pay in Georgia.
Do I have rights to regain my paternity and custody rights if my parental rights were wrongly terminated? My ex-wife said she was very sorry but she wanted me out of the picture. Now she is happy to live with her husband, son and his siblings/two children were born during their marriage/, the boy has a bond with her husband and… in this way I am not wanted because it is not in his interest to have relationships with me. I only want to be a part…no-I want to be a very important part of my son’s life. I was told I do not have fair chance for success, the odds are not in my favor and if I file a motion I will lose. Is it true?
When my ex-wife and I separated/divorced we lived in AZ. After it was final I moved to North Carolina. Our child support agreement is through the state of AZ. She has recently moved to Phily. What happens to the court order? Do I need to file and start the process over in Phily, or does it automatically carry over from AZ to Phily?
My (ex) wife and I have lived apart as a divorced couple for more than 20 years although we never finished legal proceedings. We have filed our taxes this way, have titled ourselves this way. I want to re-marry someone else. Is this first marriage considered “abandoned”, or do I still need to go through a divorce?
My ex-wife and I had an agreement in our decree ( not a court order) to “half college expenses” for our daughter. At the time, we intended our daughter would attend an in-state public college as we did. However, my ex-wife now expects me to pay half of out-of-state tuition (which is twice the cost), because my daughter wants to be on the swim team but was not offered a scholarship. Would the court require me to pay half of out-of-state expenses, or is the agreement too vague to enforce?
My husband recently had an affair. The woman is pregnant and doesn’t want the baby. She has offered to let my husband and I have full custody. Am I correct in thinking that we would need to do a “stepparent” adoption? Does his name go on the Birth Certificate at birth?
My ex-husband and I have recently discussed him giving up his rights to our son. He is in Washington State and I am in North Carolina…it has been over a year since he has seen our son and says that he has a new family out there now and doesn’t want to have to worry about seeing or talking to our son any more. What can I do about getting this done?
I have been married for 5 years in Africa (Nigeria). Now the laws are different over there. I live in Danville, Virginia and I am a citizen of the United States of America. My husband is not a citizen and lives in Germany. I have a boyfriend that i live with and we plan on getting married soon. My problem is since I got married in Africa, do I have to get a divorce? Or if i go ahead and marry my boyfriend, will that be bigamy?
I am pregnant, and will give birth in a few months and I want custodial and physical custody of my unborn child before it is born. The father of the unborn child and I have never been married and he lives in a different state. How would I go about to get the custody of the unborn child?
Since his divorce we have had another baby, also their tuition has went up again this year. We just can’t afford it anymore. His attorney hasn’t really been helping us, so I was just wondering if there was some way we could go in front of a judge have our case heard. We cannot afford the retainer fee for another attorney, and I want to file some sort of motion, but I don’t know what type of motion to file for this situation.
When we initially filed for child support, we agreed that we would drop the back child support and add on to the minimum monthly payments instead. Now he is wanting to back out of the “add-on” and claim that the add-on was for a different reason that is no longer an issue. Can I go back and file for the back child support that was never paid, even though it was agreed to be dropped at the time?
I know two young men who’s mother has passed away and their father has come and taken custody of them. He doesn’t know them and they don’t want to live with him. What can they do? They resided in Florida with their mother and would like to remain here with a close friend of their mother’s who is willing to be their legal guardian.
I currently collect SSD & alimony $650/mo. Will the alimony affect my SSD? Also, I’d like to work a little, can I work in addition to alimony & SSD.
My ex girlfriend of 8 years and I have 2 kids together. The kids are with me Monday through Friday and with their mom on the weekends. My ex has been dating a guy for a very short time and has been having him spend the nights when the kids are over and spends all her time with him when she should be spending it with the kids. Now, my daughter has come to me on more than one occasion saying that she is uncomfortable being at her moms when this guy is around. I have tried to discuss this with my ex and tell her of our daughters discomfort and she won’t listen or do anything about it. Is there any way to keep this guy away so my kids are happy again?
Therefore leaving us with no income, the only money that ever comes in is $380 a month, which is supposed to go to myself and my brother, and its from my mother. We never knew this was from my mother because we thought she was dead. I later found out that it was all a story worked up so my dad could get the money every month and not let us know about it. My brother and his girlfriend which are later getting married said that if it comes down to it, they will take custody of me. They have normal income, and they have more than enough to support not only themselves but myself also. How would my adult brother take legal action to have custody over me?
My ex-wife was given permission by the courts to move the children out-of-country to Germany and subsequently relocated to a military base in the Marshall islands without notification to myself or the courts. The court orders state that I am to have visitation every summer and alternate major holidays along with liberal communication. Since my ex-wife is the custodial parent, is this in any way considered parental kidnapping or any other criminal offense or is it okay for her to continue alienating me from my children in this way.
What can I do about having a court order issued to provide medical insurance of my child when I can’t afford to pay the premium?
I am a mother of two 12 and 7, both boys. I have had to carry insurance and everything to daycare even the few hours he was around. Here I am after 12 years I finally got brave enough to file. But, I finally got a letter to got to court within the week and I am nervous as hell. I cant afford an attorney and don’t even know what to expect. What does this mean for him to be at court?
My sister had a baby out of wedlock and for about the first 12 months a man who was not the biological father took him about once a week or so. This man was an ex-boyfriend of my sister’s who was just simply a pest and nuisance. Now, a year later, he is trying to get custody. Can he do this? Even though he is not the biological father and has a terrible record?
My son has two last names (ex. will-stre) I want to know what legal steps can I take to have the stre removed. There is no child support action against the father, but he is also not helping with child expenses on his own.
My father never paid child support for me or my brother. We are both adults now and wonder if he can be sued?
I was born to a very prominent Miami family (fathers side) My mother placed me with the State of Florida in 1959. My state Case Worker gave me copies of my state file. I know who my father is because of the file. I was eventually adopted and after 13 years removed for child abuse. Do I have any legal entitlements under Florida law as an heir to this man. He has never married.
My husband’s son lives with his mother in Tennessee and we reside in Minnesota. His son is graduating from highschool one year early - age 17 -. If he moves out of his mother’s home and goes to college, are we responsible to continue to pay her child support until his 18th birthday.
I am married and have two children with my husband. We are now separated because of an affair my husband had with a girl that is now saying he is the father of her son. What can I do as his wife to demand a DNA test? Do i have that right?
I live in the state of Florida. I’m married with four beautiful children. I had a one night stand with another woman. A month later she told me was pregnant. I had a paternity test done and found out that I’m the child’s father. I’m sending money for the child. By the state of Florida am I required to sign the birth certificate even though its carrying my last name.
My ex husband has not made an attempt to see our son who is now 9 for 7 years now. He is paying child support only because I filed with the Department of Revenue and they garnish it right out of his check. My ex is now threatening me that if I don’t stop the Department of Revenue from garnishing his wages, he will take me to court to fight for visitation. What can I do to prevent this from happening? I couldn’t force or make him want to be a father to our son, but financially I could. What are my rights?
In South Carolina can a woman put a fathers name on the birth certificate if he is not present and are they required by law at the hospital to I.D. the man?
I married my husband when he was incarcerated in a NY State Prison. Is he entitled to any assets I acquire while he is incarcerated? Specifically I am looking to purchase a home with a partner who is concerned with my husbands legal right to my assets since we are legally married. He was incarcerated before I married him and will remain incarcerated for at least the next 8-13 years. What are his rights?
I have Bipolar Disorder, and wrote some bad checks and used a credit card illegally. I was in jail for one month. Then went through a domestic violence with my husband who is now my Ex- husband. The father of my two children keeps getting my parenting rights suspended because, of all that has happened this past year. What should I do to regain at least some visitation rights? I’m working now and paying child support again also.
If our Grandchildren’s mother, who is our daughter, is using cocaine or other illegal drugs, is there any way we can get temporary custody of the 2 minor children? Their father is out of state, and is court ordered to not have any visitation. We do not want to notify Department of Children and Family Services because of the power they have in placing the children. We are prepared to get our daughter into a rehab program if she will accept it and are prepared to take temporary custody of the children. Is it child abuse if a parent or guardian is using illegal drugs in the home while the children are in the home? Should we hire an attorney to have temporary custody assigned to us, the grandparents, and do we have to notify their father?
The Non-Custodial Parent of my 3 children all of which are his has motioned for a decrease in the court ordered child support due to the our oldest child turning 18 years of age. I am literally between a rock and a hard place as Before he issued the motion for a decrease and before the court has even had a chance to hear the case for a decrease he has taken it upon himself to modify the court ordered child support by decreasing the child support by 1/3. He has continually no showed in court when I did have an attorney. I want to go to court for an increase in child support as he placed his other children all of which are over the age of 27 in private schools and medical schools but won’t help Financially for my children to have a better life.
My fiancee is going through a divorce, it should be final in April. I got her pregnant and she is due in May. Is it true that because they were married when I got her pregnant that her soon to be ex-husband will be the legal father of the child? Does he have any rights to the child?
Her biological father has not been in her life in any way shape or form, and he and I have never been married or lived together. He and I came to an agreement regarding custody, visitation, payments, etc., had it notarized and we signed it. Now that child support has been ordered, he’s trying to go against our agreement. How much right do I have with this notarized document?
My mother divorced my father due to an abusive relationship, they then went into a custody battle, where he had money and she did not, so he had a lawyer, while she was stuck defending herself. They agreed to take two each, and he got it, where she had to pay child support for the two he had, but he did not have to pay anything for the two she had. Well due to financial problems, she took the two she had and moved away. Fourteen years have passed, without her paying any child support. If the subject was brought up, would she have to pay for all the back owed child support, or would the statue of limitations protect her from owing that?
About seven years ago my fiance was being evicted from her home. With her daughter’s best interests in mind she signed over temporary guardianship to the child’s father with the understanding that the child would be returned to her once she got back on her feet. When she attempted to retrieve her daughter the father refused to give her back. Now her daughter is twelve and is old enough to make her own decision, however her father has made it clear that if she leaves him he will never forgive her. She desperately wants to live with her mother, but is terrified of her father. So my question is this: Is there anything that my fiance can do to obtain her daughter without forcing the girl to choose between them.
My son will be 18 years old this July 2007 and he will not graduate till June 2008. My understanding is that I have to pay child support till he gradates June 2008.
Recently, my daughter has been told the truth about her “real” dad. I told the bio-dad of this, and he is THRILLED. He has been seeing her, and wants to establish paternity and get visitation, and pay child support. All the stuff a “dad” does. No-one wanted to take away anything away from my ex husband since he’s been a decent father to her all these years. He doesn’t want to work with us at all and change the visitation schedule so we can all have some time with her. I don’t blame him really, but no-one is trying to hurt him. My daughter wants to see her biological dad and her half brother and sister on his side. When my ex and I divorced, child visitation and support was detailed out in the paperwork. He says that if we want to change that we have to go to court. We are wondering if the bio-dad stands any chance to re-gain legal rights to his child since it’s been 12 years since she was born, and he has had no formal contact with her during that time.
My wife’s mother and father purchased a property that has since then turned into a very successful lodge. About ten years ago they divorced, but he did not sell his half to her-nor was she awarded it in court. He later died. Now My wife’s mother and current husband are trying to sell the place. We think that my wife’s father’s half ownership of property would go to his daughter (my wife) when he died, and therefore she would be half owner of the property. Is this the case?
My question is whether or not I, an adult (24 years old) child, can sue my mother for emotional damages incurred based on her actions when I was a child. I have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and several other anxiety disorders. These anxiety disorders, all can be traced back to the separation anxiety disorder as the chances of being diagnosed and having another anxiety disorder increased exponentially when previously diagnosed with a disorder. I understand that there may be a statute of limitations issue as this happened many years ago. However, I feel that the anxiety issues are ongoing and typically only surface in adulthood and will be issues that I will have to deal with for the remainder of my life. I live in Texas. CPS recently placed my nephew in my mothers custody. His mother signed away her rights and now my nephew is ward of the state. My nephew’s brother as lived with my mom since he was born. He is now 8 years old. If CPS made her sign her rights away what happens to the siblings??? She also has another son that lives with her aunt, they have had him since he was born and he is now 10. Does she still have rights to her other two boys?
A few years ago, I asked my wife to move out of the condo that we purchased together, and she asked for some equity out of the property. We have since divorced. After filing the quit claim deed with the county, it was returned to me indicating that more detailed information is required to identify the property for recording purposes. Is the quit claim deed therefore invalid, or does the fact that she signed it at least show that the intent of the exchange of money and property between us still intact? Can I file an amendment to the original quit claim deed with the additional identifying information for the property requested by the county without her signature?
Her father and I were engaged to be married but broke up 4 months before she was born. He is in the army and was in the state of Hawaii through out my whole pregnancy. He never called to see if or when she was born. I met someone when she was 3 months old we have been together ever since and he has taken on the responsibility of being her father. My fiancee wants to adopt her. He loves her like his own. He has been there for all the doctor appointments, first shots, first word, first step, first everything. Will adopting her be expensive, and what about her bio-father. He never did sign her birth certificate. We are planning to get married in the fall of 2007 and wanted to add adoption to celebration.
I am a father of two estranged children living with their mother. I’m being hit very hard with child support, recently I ran into my ex’s old best friend (they are no longer on speaking terms) and she said to me that my son is not actually mine (I have always suspected but never raised the matter.) If I have a dna test done and it shows that I am not his father, will I have to continue paying child support?
I have a 4 year old son. My ex signed the birth certificate, but is not the father. I know who is dad is but not where. How can I make him take a paternity and make him pay child support as well as get my ex off the birth certificate.
How do I gain custody of both of my children even though their father and I are not divorced yet?
My husband abandoned me in February 2006. He inherited a huge amount of money from his father’s passing in January 2006 of which I know I am not entitled to nor have I ever asked him for any of that money. Is there or do you know of an attorney that does pro bono work? My soon to be ex-husband has financially ruined me while he is living a lavish lifestyle and I need to be legally represented.
I am a single parent and I have been having trouble with my 17 yr old he is both very argumentative and combative with others in the home and shoving with me. My question is: How can I legally terminate them from my lease and make him move out on his own. I am very close to getting evicted due to the noise level in the apartment. He does not listen to me as a parent.
I filed a motion for child support modification on 11/06/2006 and reissued it on 01/06/2007 because my co. closed it’s business. I’m now 1,600 arrears and child support in about to suspend my license, report this on my credit and they are taking 160 dollars from a weekly unemployment check of 340. Is there any thing I can do or motion I can file to stop or put a hold on what child support is doing while I wait for an answer for my motion.
My ex husband has had no interaction with our minor child and lacks the finances to pay support, so he has asked to terminate his parental rights so that my new husband whom has taken care of my daughter since she was born can adopt her, my question is this : Can I write this paperwork up myself or do I need to hire an attorney to do this for me? Also, in either case, he has not paid support in almost year and I would ask that the arrearages be dropped so that we may just move on with our lives, is this possible or will he have to pay arrearages before terminating his rights?
I have been divorced for a few months now, my ex is turning out to be the typical dead beat dad. He disappears for days without returning phone calls and/or text messages, and no one knows where he is. Right now I have sole physical and we have joint legal custody, I want sole custody of all 3 kids without visitation. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make him give up his rights to them, or at least give me sole custody with supervised visitation.
I live in New York State and my ex in New Jersey. My ex constantly violates court orders by not paying what he is court ordered to do and he never faces any consequences for them. We are going back to court on Friday because he now is refusing to pay Catholic School tuition for our daughter who is in the fourth grade. It was the school of choice for my son who graduated two years ago and now attending public high school. He has been paying all along, but now refuses. How can he do that? Another issue is health care. I have been paying the cost for the past ten years.
I have a 1 year old daughter the father and I were never married actually we were only together 2 months. He is not on the birth certificate and we haven’t had a dna test. We also don’t have any court orders to follow at this time. So my question to you is that if i wanted to move out of state would i be allowed to since we have no court orders papers or anything established at this time. I have my whole family out there and it would be nice to be out there. I just don’t want him to be able to stop me.
My ex-girlfriend lied about my daughter’s birth date (09/30/05), so that she could keep me unaware of her birth. This was so she could claim she did not know who the father was and sign over parental rights to a family friend. How legal and binding is that in the state of Arizona? The hospital paperwork was stuffed in my ex’s diaper bag pocket by mistake. They show the signature of the new mom and my ex-girlfriend signing over her rights to the child. I filed for full custody about 2 weeks before I had knowledge of my daughter’s birth, since there is a history of depression and suicidal tendencies from the mother. How can I find out when my daughter went back to my ex-girlfriend and why the court is still allowing my ex-girlfriend to have joint custody, in light of this? Should there be something in writing, stating that my ex-girlfriend took my daughter back. Is that legal, seeing as how she was turned over at the hospital after birth and not through a normal adoption process?
My husband and I have raised his 2 sons for the last 14 years and their mother was ordered to pay $50 a week and to pay half of their doctor bills. The boys are 17&15 right now and the youngest wanted to move in with his mother, so we let him and my husband didn’t want to get into trouble so we give her the $50 back every week. My husband still has custody of him so my question is, Do we have to keep giving her the money? I would also like to know if she does get a lawyer, Would we have to pay her back the money from the time he moved in with her?
My father passed away 2 years ago and his estate was set up in a trust. His home was left to myself, my sister and my brother. My question is can my brother and I just quit claim the home to my sister?
Can someone force me to have a paternity test done on my child? My husband and I have been married for over 4 years and have two beautiful children together. This past fall we went through a rough patch in our marriage and were “separated(not legally)” for a couple of months. We were still sleeping together at the time, but one night I made a HUGE mistake and slept with a man, that I had considered to be a good friend at the time. My husband knows of the incident and we have worked past that. We found out shortly after he moved back in that I am pregnant with our 3rd child and have been adjusting to that as well. This other guy has found out that I ma pregnant and will not stop sending me e-mail telling me that he is the father of this baby and is in contact with a lawyer and wants me to have a DNA test done.
Does alimony still have to be paid when the x-spouse files and receives social security benefits off of the one paying alimony or do the two combined just have to equal the amount? For example: alimony is $1,000.00 a month and social security she receives would be $800.00…..would only $200.00 need to be paid out of pocket to equal the $1,000.00? If not, how does it work?
About three years ago my DR thought that I had cancer and ran a boatload of medical test on me. leaving me owing thousands of dollars in medical bills. I am now fixing to get married but my fiance is wanting me to file bankruptcy first because she is afraid they may come after her for the debt. Is this possible.
Do I have to sign up for child support if my ex is giving me wages already, or is it illegal not to make him pay child support?
We would like to file for a legal separation but the woman involved is pregnant. We live in Greenville, Texas and don’t know how all the laws work. We don’t have a lot of money and every lawyer we have spoken to wants at least $400.00 just to speak to us. Could you please suggest someone we could speak to within our area. Also what legal rights she has within this separation. He has been abusive and increasing threatening and now that things have gotten so far out of hand we are at a point that we feel we no longer have any options. She is disabled and can not work and he has now withdrawn his financial support from her.
I Lost my Prenuptial Agreement, What are my Options?
My Son is in Iraq. His wife has left the state with his son, and has no intention of returning. Son wants divorce, and custody of child. I have his POA. Need help in how to proceed.
I would like to know how to go about getting custody of a younger sibling, I live in Idaho and the child in question is in Wyoming. I am 20 years of age, financially stable and completely supporting myself. I am also a child of the foster care system, and was adopted when I was in the Fourth Grade. I lived with my biological mother until I was three, until her then boyfriend beat me so severely that I had to be hospitalized. I have a younger brother, the fruit of my biological mother and abusive boyfriend. Because of excessive drug use, my brother was for a short time placed in foster care with me. I believe that the incident that incurred the action was when my mother was arrested for a DUI with my brother in the backseat of the car. I don’t know how, but she ended up getting my brother back, until a few years after that incident, he burned down their home. He was left alone, while my mother and her boyfriend went out to the bar. My brother was 8. After that, he was placed in the custody of his father’s parents, where he stayed until they sent him to a boy’s home. During that time, my mother has been on and off of drugs, always saying that she is cleaning up and moving on with her life, but it never lasts. She recently spent two years in jail, for robbery, and taking drugs into jail. While she was in jail, she met a man who was also in jail, who she is now living with, and has had a child with him. As much as I would like to think that she has cleaned up and has gotten her life straightened out, I don’t think that it will last. Her history of being a mother is very clouded, with bad decisions. She has always put herself before the child. It is clear to me that this child will not be raised in a safe environment. Do I have’ a chance of getting custody? And if so, what would be the best way of obtaining custody?
ok, i have been divorced for seven years and i was awarded sole custody of my daughter. i remarried a man in the military 1 year ago. i moved from IL to VA and back. now, in six months i am moving again to VA. my ex says he will get me for kidnapping if i go. is it possible? do i have to get a court order to let me go or can i just go.
Anyway, my son has recently told me that he found “pot” and “pot tubes” in his mother’s kitchen drawer. My son has told me repeatedly that he thinks his mom is using drugs too. He is constantly asking when he can come home. I currently have visitation with my son 2 out of 3 weekends. I have filed an appeal with the court- for custody of my son. Is there anything I can do to have my ex-wife drug tested at random?
My partner and I have been wanting children for a few years now. We are both unable to conceive. My sister is pregnant and would like us to adopt the baby. We live in California and she is in Arizona. What do I have to do to adopt?
My mother in law has not seen her husband in about 20 years and wants to know if he has divorced her in that time…She lived in MA. and now lives in FL. How would she find out that info?
I was divorced in Oct/99 my ex is now going back to court to recover property that she feels was not divided properly. The wording in the agreement states “remainder of furnishing to be divided equally” but does not specify any particular items. She has named items she wants and the Judge appears to be going along with this. Is there a statue of limitations on any of this? It has been seven years since our divorce. She has not claimed these items until now. I live in New York State.
Can my ex sue me for monetary help to provide a car or collage education for my child, in addition to my regular monthly support payments? Would costs of a car be covered in the regular monthly support or could a court grant her money for this? My divorce was granted in Texas.
If a spouse (husband) conceals substantial financial gain acquired during a 26-year marriage, and withholds disclosure of this overseas bank account in a divorce settlement, and then the other spouse (wife) finds out about the concealed money–after the divorce is finalized; can the wife reopen or sue the husband. And is there a time limit in the state of Mississippi.
I live in Ohio and a few years ago I went to court for child support when the child turned nine years old and I asked the judge for paternity test, I was denied because the judge did not want to basturize the child. Is the judge allowed to deny paternity because of basturizing a child?
do not have custody of my children and they reside with there mother. I am greatly concerned for there welfare. My children are being neglected in many ways and i want to file for custody but I know that they are not being cared for. Is there anything i can file for temporary custody until my case is heard by the judge. I reside in the state of Mass and I am unsure of what my rights are.
I know of two men, my relatives, who are obligated to pay child support. One receives, what’s called, General Assistance, in Pennsylvania. The other one receives TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Both have outstanding child support orders and both have arrearages. Please tell me if these cases are enforceable in the terms of child support. Also, what is the Statute of Limitations of Child Support Payments?
My fiance & I purchased a house together in the state of Maryland. We would like to write up an agreement that if something happens to me, he gets 100% ownership of the house and everything in the house and if something happens to him I would get 100% ownership and everything in the house. Is there a legal document that we can pick up at Staples and have notarized? Would the document be a legal and binding in the State of Maryland, or would it be in our best interest to get an attorney?
I live in Los Angeles, Ca and my Ex fiance and i have a 17 month old son who she refuses to let me have any contact with. Now the court entered a judgement that i can have supervised visitation with my son when agreed upon by both parents. I called the House where i was led to believe that my Ex and my son were staying at only to have the Grandmother answer the phone and tell me that they now live in New York. I was never notified about the move to New York by her family or her lawyer. Are there any charges that can be filed? And what can I do as a single father to see my son?
I am the custodial parent and I am owed current child support and I am owed arrearage in child support for two children one 20 and 17 in excess of $ 35,000. My ex husband (father of the 2 mentioned children) is going to receive an inheritance from his father who just passed away last week. How do I collect or intercept legally the monies he is going to receive to offset the arrearage he owes me. Can I do this myself and if so how do I file a lien , against my ex and his father???
My niece is 15 years old and nine months pregnant. Her mother for the past three years has consistently kicked my niece out after arguments, not caring where she stayed, and my family has tried to help by taking her in. Yet, this last time, she stayed with her boyfriend for three months and then got pregnant while living there. When our family found out about this we called Child Protective Services as my niece had been living with these people since conception through her sixth month of pregnancy. We have been in contact with the Case Worker investigating the case but we are afraid that because of her age and her mother’s consent to let her continue living with her boyfriend (though she is underage and that is illegal) there is nothing we can do. Is there any legal measure we can take to ensure that CPS will follow through with the neglect and abandonment of my niece by her mother?
I am 18 years old. I have a steady job and can support myself. My brother, who is 10 now, and I were both taken from my mother at a very early age. my brother was adopted by our grandfather who is now very old, has back problems and heart problems. He doesn’t have that long left to live to be able to care for my brother until he is old enough to be on his own. Can I obtain custody of him, and if so how could i go about getting it?
I am 38 years old my father died 9 to 10 years ago, he did not pay any child support while I was growing up is there a way to collect that money from his social security. My parents where divorced when I was 5 years old, my brother was 3 and he was ordered to pay $200.00 a month for support and $200.00 in spousal support. We never received any money from him the entire time I was growing up.
I have a 6 month old daughter. Her biological father has never seen her and has never even asked to see her. He has brought up the fact that he would like to terminate his rights. I am engaged, and my fiance wants to adopt her. He has supported her financially, and was even in the delivery room when she was born. I would like to know if he can adopt her before we get married or if we have to be married first?
I was married and naturalized my Chinese wife and her son from another marriage into the USA. We are divorced but remain good friends. My ex-wife will be vacationing in China for 3 weeks and asked that I stay at her house for the duration of her vacation and take care of her 15year old son while she is away. We live in NJ. Are there any legal forms/process we need to fill out that gives me the authority to temporarily care for him?
My husband and I have been separated for 3 years now and when he left he agreed to give $200 a week child support i don’t know why he hasn’t filed for divorce but if i had the money i would have already been divorced, but anyway he is behind $3,200 right now and he hasn’t called or talked to his kids in over a month then he calls today wanting the kids and my social security numbers to file taxes Should i let him file or should i refuse to give him the social numbers.
i have a 14 yr old daughter that is pregnant and her mother is moving her to another state without my consent. we were never married and have never been to court concerning custodial rites, can this unborn child be placed for adoption without my consent?
I live in NJ and one year ago I was granted full legal custody of my child’s 17 year old friend. She has now turned 18 and is a high school senior. Am I still legally responsible for her? Or does it terminate on it’s own? If so, at what point does this happen? Do I have to go through any legal channels to dissolve my responsibilities?
Even though they have been separated for approximately 8 years and they live in different states she absolutely refuses to give him a divorce so he and I can get married. Who’s last name can I legally put on the birth certificate as the baby’s last name, mine or his? If I can give the baby his last name and she finds a way to keep avoiding divorce, does she have ANY rights what so ever to my child? Is there any way that I can take legal action to ensure that she has NO contact with my child even though she has not made any threats towards my unborn child, me or my boyfriend?
I am 20 years of age, financially stable and completely supporting myself. I am also a child of the foster care system, and was adopted when I was in the Fourth Grade. I lived with my biological mother until I was three, until her then boyfriend beat me so severely that I had to be hospitalized. I was then put in foster care, and she was given certain terms to live by in order to regain full custody of me, i.e. becoming financially stable, staying away from the abusive boyfriend, staying clean. My mother however, was unable to live up to these standards, and ended up losing full custody of me. I have a younger brother, the fruit of my biological mother and abusive boyfriend. I am 20 years of age, financially stable and completely supporting myself. I am also a child of the foster care system, and was adopted when I was in the Fourth Grade. I lived with my biological mother until I was three, until her then boyfriend beat me so severely that I had to be hospitalized. I was then put in foster care, and she was given certain terms to live by in order to regain full custody of me, i.e. becoming financially stable, staying away from the abusive boyfriend, staying clean. My mother however, was unable to live up to these standards, and ended up losing full custody of me.