Q: Can I legally keep my children until custody has been awarded?
The father of two of my children has kept them from their other siblings and I since the beginning of COVID-19. (Against my wishes) He has enrolled one of them in school where he lives too. He’s finally agreed to let me come get them for the weekend, because we’re now in stage three. I’m worried that he won’t let me see them again if I send them back, and I’m also concerned for their physical and mental safety. I live in Louisiana and am not moving from Louisiana. I’m in the process of having him served through my attorney. Do I legally have to send them back if he has signed a paternity affidavit, but there’s no physical or legal custody agreement?
A: You need to hire a custody lawyer and file for custody while you have them in Louisiana.
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