Q: Can I file a petition for emergency relief-custody to get my child back.
I'm trying to get my daughter back in my care because her father and stepmother have been fighting. Stepmother is physically abused my daughter's father in front of her. My daughter is afraid of stepmom. My child has been traumatized emotionally and mentally. Father refused to get are child counseling. Father and stepmother have been screaming at my child blaming her because of all the domestic violence that is going on in the home. Father and stepmother have a open case with DHS because of the domestic violence going on. I got a disturbing call from my child tonight she was crying and told me that her father said the was going to kill me because my daughter doesn't want to live with him anymore that she is so stress out over fighting with them too and the emotional
verbal abused they are doing to her. She's 13 yrs old lives in Philadelphia PA and I live in Bucks County PA. I want to know what are the proper paperwork to file. No legal representation can't afford it.
A:
First of all, if you believe there is an immediate threat to your daughter, contact the police. Second, contact DHS and inform them about what you know. Third, contact a legal aid organization in Philadelphia about modifying custody -- you can often get counsel in family law cases for little or no money if you qualify financially. They can help you with the appropriate paperwork and other procedural aspects of a custody modification case.
Best of luck to you.
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