Q: I am giving my custody to my dad after I with stain a stable job and home, how long do I have to wait to petition rights

A: Sweetheart, giving up custody of a child is a really big deal. It's a good thing for you to try to get yourself stable. Getting a good job, some education and a place to live are basic, but critical, elements to making a good life. But, when you say "how long do I have to wait to petition..." I looks like you are asking how long do you need to wait before you can seek to regain custody of your child. If you decide that your Dad can give your child the best chance for a good life, and as a result give him custody...That's a very responsible and selfless decision. But you need to realize that when you give up custody of your child, it's not something that can be undone easily. If your Dad has a court order giving him custody, that's pretty much a permanent thing. It's not impossible for you to regain custody. But it is VERY difficult. It's difficult because it is very hard on your child to be passed back and forth between people. You should probably consult with a lawyer you trust before you take this important step. If you don't have an attorney already, I'll be happy to speak with you about this matter. While I have discussed the general provisions of the law, there are some exceptions. So you shouldn't rely on this note as a legal opinion. If you click on my name it will take you to my contact page. There you can find information on how to contact me, either by phone or by email. I don't charge for the first 30 minutes of an initial consultation.