Articles on Relationships
What are our Visitation Rights as Grandparents?
My stepson had a child by his girlfriend at the time but was never told it was his child until 5 years later. During that time she got married and her husband at the time was the named father on the birth certificate. When they separated a DNA test was done and proven my stepson was the father and his name was added to the birth certificate. Her father does not like my stepson so he kept calling child services until they took the child and turned him over to the ex husband. What can we do as grandparents to see our grandson that was moved from NC to WV?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 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.
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?
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?
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 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?
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 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 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?
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 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 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 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 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 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?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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?
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?
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.
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?
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 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.
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?
My 6 month old’s father has filed for joint custody with the court. He has had 2 DUI’s and has been ordered to have a breathalyzer in his car. He also lives with his marijuana dealer, whom I have witnessed selling drugs. I want my daughter to have a relationship with her father, but not in his home overnight. Is there anything I can do?
If his name is on the birth certificate, does the biological father of my son have legal paternity if we were never married? I am now married to another man who would like to adopt my son. I would also like to secure a passport for my son and passport applications list that both parents need to file for the passport. My son is now 10 years old and his biological father has never met my son nor paid child support. Is it safe to say that I have sole and legal custody of my son? Will I have to contact the biological father and obtain his consent in order for my husband to adopt him?
What recommendations do you have for someone whose spouse was arrested during her 6th month of pregnancy, stayed 2 days in jail due to her BAC of .247 (determined by her visit from jail to the local hospital) and later charged with 3rd degree assault followed by probation. ubsequently the mother went on a trip to visit relatives promising to return in one week. One and one-half years later she has now filed for divorce. She was asked repeatedly to come back home to no avail, and even denied visitation until recently when the court ordered visitation times. The child is behind in speech, development and not potty trained and just recently learned to start wiping herself. Is this parental kidnapping, child abuse, child neglect, ???? And if so, should charges be filed in the state in which I reside or in the state the mother lives in?
“My husband and I live in Louisiana. Our marriage is his 2nd marriage. In his 1st marriage, his estranged wife became pregnant during a time when they had been separated on and off. They reunited right before the birth of a second child in 1995. (They already had one child together who was born in […]
I went to probate court to determine the amount of child support and while there I asked the judge about paternity test and I was denied paternity test because the judge did not want to bastardize the child. Can a judge deny a paternity test when my name is not on the birth certificate?
My wife has recently asked me for a divorce. We will be divorcing in the state of North Carolina. The state has a one year separation obligation that must be fulfilled before filling for the divorce. I am a member of the USAF currently stationed in Wichita, KS. She is keeping our son with her in NC. Can she legally relocate with him like this?
My mother does not speak to any of her children and ex-husband and has taken sole custody of the family house. She will not let any of the children in the house. My dad took my mom to court to get a court mandated date to allow the children to get our belongings. I cannot go to the house on that date because I am at university out of state. I would like to get a second date when I can go into the house once and for all to collect my property. I have tried contacting my mom through e-mail and family friends to avoid legal fees and having to go to court but there is no response. I do not know what my options are.
I live in the state of Texas and I would like to know if me and my boyfriend or common law husband can legally adopt my 14 year old daughters baby after it is born? She has already stated to me that she wants us to raise the baby as if we were the birth parents. I know that I will be able to adopt the baby because I am the Grandmother but him I don’t know about. Also to adopt a close family members do you have to be a legal resident?
My little girl is 10 years old. She will turn 11 in June. I’m having a problem with her wanting to go to her Dad’s every other weekend. She goes over to her Dad’s and a lot of the time his bowling, golf, hunting, etc. comes first. She doesn’t understand why she even has to go if she is going to be left with her stepmom. I know that her visitation is not going to be about her all the time but some of the time would be nice. What can I do in the State of Louisiana. Can I bring her before a judge or what?
My fiance has a half-sister who lives with her mother and father (my fiance’s step father but sister’s biological father). The father was recently arrested by the FBI for child porno. Failing to acknowledge the daughter has gone through stress and pain due to the arrest the mother is focusing on her own needs. We feel and know (along with the grandparents - her mother and father) that the biological mother cannot be fit to take care of the daughter. She is 11 years old. We have an idea to get married and pursue custody of the half-sister. Our income combined is well worth five times that of the father and mother. We do have a house and stability. Is there any chance in pursuing this case to win?
I was never married, and CA is not common law - a 14yr relationhip, I have 3 children with this man who has a verbally abusive history with all in the family. We seperated now for 10 mos…What can I do to control his harrasing phone calls and emails? A restraining order? and how may I file for child support?
My daughter’s father and I have not been together since I was three months pregnant. I want my daughter to know her father, but he never calls and never even tries to see her. On the rare occasions he does actually come over, he sits around talking to my parents, and pays her very little attention. Every time my daughter has seen her father, she hides behind my dad, whom she called daddy for the longest time. Well, the last time I spoke with him, he said he wanted to pick her up one weekend. I do not feel right about that. Am I wrong for asking him to come over at least like one day a month so that our daughter will get used to him being around before I allow him to take her off? All I ask of him is to get to know our wonderful little girl before he tries to throw another complete stranger on her. How do you think I should handle this situation? Is what I am doing now wrong?
Can you please tell me what could happen to a parent who refuses to give her child medication. My grand-daughter was just recently diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. The mother refuses to give my grand-daughter the insulin shots that she needs, thinking that there must be some sort of herbal medication she can take. Doctor has told her that if her daughter does not receive her medication that it could be fatal. Doctors and nurses in the hospital have heard her say that she will not give her daughter the insulin shots needed. Will the hospital release her to her mother knowing this?
From a legal standpoint, would I be able to obtain a life insurance policy on my child’s biological father? I was never married to the child’s father and the child does not carry his last name.
My mother has been caring for my niece since my sister passed away. We have no idea where the father is. Is it possible for my mother to obtain custody or some form of legal guardianship without involving the father?
My step-daughters father has recently begun to pressure her to come live with him. When she tells him “no” he will proceed to pout, sometimes weep, and when that doesn’t work he will resort to giving her the silent treatment and eventually begin yelling at her and accusing her of not really loving him. This just really breaks her heart! What can we do?
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.
