Q: Chances of a father gaining custody? Never married.
We are both 22 years old. My ex-GF and I are going to court for our daughter. My ex has no job, no income, and is staying with an abusive father. I don't want to take our daughter out of my ex's life but she's going down a bad path and I'd rather she did not drag our daughter through the mud with her. As I said.. she has no job. She's never held one for more than 2 months. I've had a steady full time job since graduating from high school. I have an apartment and can pay all my bills no problem. I love our daughter absolutely and really want the best for her.. but it's rough because at the moment I don't believe her mother is in her best interest until she gets her head out of her butt and gets her life together. As I said.. her mother is staying with her father who's basically mentally and physically abused my ex through her childhood. He was also in jail for 2 years of her life.. I just feel like I can give our daughter a much more safe environment.
A:
Child custody determinations focus on the "best interests of the child" standard.
See: http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/laws-by-subj/about/custody.html
More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website. I practice law in CA, NY, MA, and DC in the following areas of law: Business & Contracts, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Child Custody, and Education Law. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
