Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am the biological father of a child I have lived with for three years. The child lives full-time with me and the biological mother, and my name is on the child's birth certificate. There are no existing custody orders or agreements, and there haven't been any legal actions initiated by... View More 
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
Yes, as the biological father, you do have the right to ask for full custody of your child in Missouri. Since your name is on the birth certificate and you’ve lived with the child full-time for the past three years, you already have a strong presence in the child’s life. The absence of any... View More
On March 20, the police kicked in my door to serve a warrant related to a suspicion of delivery of a controlled substance. I was unaware of what they were talking about and was treated roughly; they slammed me to the ground, causing my clothing to become disarranged, which a male officer corrected.... View More
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
What you're going through is incredibly painful, and it’s clear how much your children mean to you. The first thing you can do is make sure all of your evidence is ready to be presented—this includes the video, any documents proving your prior CPS case was dropped, and anything that shows... View More
I'm trying to understand the custody arrangement that states Darwins can exercise custody from Thursday evening to Sunday evening during his alternating weekends in June and July if he's off work Friday. Does "off work Friday" mean he has to be off the entire day on Friday, or... View More
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
The phrase "off work Friday" in a custody arrangement usually means the parent must have the entire day off, not just be home in the evening after work. The idea behind that clause is to ensure the parent is available to care for the child during the full day on Friday, not just after... View More
My daughters mom will not let me see my daughter and all I want is to see her and visit with her and the mother is refusing I even offered her child support but her boyfriend is influencing her not to let me see her
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
Yes, you can file for paternity and visitation on your own without a lawyer. Family courts are used to working with parents who represent themselves, and many provide self-help forms or assistance through the court clerk’s office. Your first step is to file a petition to establish paternity if... View More
My daughter is turning 16 and is pregnant by her 17-year-old boyfriend. We live in Missouri, and his mother claims that a lawyer has told her the boyfriend could face legal trouble once the baby is born, especially if paternity is established. There have been no legal issues or charges filed... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You’re facing a sensitive and emotional situation, and it’s understandable that you want to protect your daughter and her baby. In Missouri, the age of consent is 17, which means that while your daughter being 15 and her boyfriend 17 may raise concerns, these cases are often handled with... View More
Can morality and/or romantic partner clauses be included in a divorce agreement in Missouri? I want to ensure a stable environment for my children, ages 9 and 8, who struggle with change and grief. My spouse previously had a short-lived emotional affair and has been influenced by friends quickly... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
Yes, morality clauses—often referred to as "romantic partner clauses"—can be added to divorce agreements in Missouri. These clauses typically limit a parent from having romantic partners stay overnight while the children are present or from introducing new relationships to the... View More
I want to adopt my ex-girlfriend's son or at least get visitation rights. I've been taking care of him for three years, attending all his appointments and school events, and paying for expenses. Although she promises to let me keep seeing him, she takes him away whenever she's upset... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're in a heartbreaking situation, especially after forming such a strong bond with this child over several years. In Missouri, the law favors biological and legal parents when it comes to custody and visitation, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. If you can show that you’ve acted... View More
My daughter currently lives in Michigan and wants to leave her husband and move to Missouri with her 18-month-old son to be near us. Her husband was arrested for criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 16, and there will be protection orders against him. There are no custody arrangements in... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
I'm really sorry your daughter is going through this. Her safety and her child’s well-being are the top priority, and it’s understandable that she wants to move closer to family for support. You're doing the right thing by asking these questions before taking action, especially when... View More
In Missouri, when child support for my older child has ceased and the support is being recalculated for just my younger child, how is the amount determined? The non-custodial parent was supposed to have visitation every other weekend, some holidays, and every other week in summer, but this... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
In Missouri, when child support for one child ends, the amount owed for the remaining child doesn’t just automatically adjust—it usually requires a formal review or modification. The recalculation takes into account both parents’ incomes, parenting time, health insurance costs, and other... View More
I am pregnant, and the father has requested a paternity test out of jealousy. We are not married and will not be together. I am certain he is the father, but his mother has also asked if I would be okay to take a paternity test. He is threatening court action. I have no intention of keeping the... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You’re already carrying so much, and it’s understandable to want peace and clarity during your pregnancy. In Missouri, because you and the father are not married, he has no automatic legal rights until paternity is established. That means he cannot make decisions or seek custody or visitation... View More
My children's father took me to court a few years ago, granting us joint legal and joint sole custody after holding my children from me for three years. My oldest son, who has experienced abuse, decided to stay with me last summer and no longer wishes to live with his father. Since then, his... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
You have the right to seek a modification of both custody and child support orders in Missouri when there is a substantial change in circumstances, especially when it involves abuse or a major shift in the child’s living arrangement. If your son has been living with you consistently and is no... View More
What are the legal options for my 17-year-old brother-in-law who has been living with my husband and me since June 2024 under a Power of Attorney (POA) due to his mother's alcohol issues? He wishes to live with his grandmother in New Mexico, and everyone has told us he can choose where he... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In your situation, your 17-year-old brother-in-law does have the right to choose where he wants to live, especially since he is close to the age of majority in many states, including New Mexico. Since there is no formal custody arrangement and he has been living with you under a Power of Attorney... View More
I am divorced, and my ex-husband is named as the father on my child's birth certificate. However, a DNA test conducted before our divorce was finalized showed he is not the biological father. He has not contacted us or seen the child for over 8 months, despite a divorce decree stating he is to... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Missouri, removing your ex-husband’s name from your child’s birth certificate requires a court order—especially since he is currently presumed to be the legal father. Even though the DNA test shows he isn’t the biological father, the law doesn’t automatically update documents or... View More
For me because my parents are highly restrictive and create random rules and live very selfishly. Long story short I want to leave. I'm pregnant and my boyfriend has a place and makes good money, but we can't get my parents support not Matter how hard we try. They won't even let me... View More
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answered on Dec 20, 2024
Your situation sounds incredibly challenging, and I understand why you're looking for a way forward. Being 17 and pregnant while dealing with highly restrictive parents must feel overwhelming, especially when they're preventing you from taking important steps like telling your... View More
I got pregnant at 16 with my oldest son. His bio father was high on drugs and refused to be in his life and isn’t on the birth certificate. He’s been an in and out father until he was 22 months. He will be 8 in September and his sperm donor is trying to come back in his life but barely. My sons... View More
answered on May 2, 2024
You will need to contact an attorney that handles step-parent adoptions. You will have to file a petition in the county where you live, a guardian ad litem may be appointed and a home study may be necessary in order for the Court to grant your petition for step-parent adoption. You and your... View More
My children were stolen from me, turned against me, abused, coerced, kept from me, and my youngest was even put out at 9yrs old after being mistreated and now from PA my sister has filed for child support when my children can just come back. How do I stop her.
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answered on Apr 16, 2024
I'm so sorry you are going through this incredibly difficult situation with your children. Dealing with custody issues, alienation from your kids, and now a child support case on top of that must be overwhelming and painful.
A few thoughts on your legal options to try to stop the... View More
What can I do about her demands for money? She is letting me see them this weekend for the first time in two months but only if I send her 200$ cash. I think that’s horrible and my twin daughters are calling me everyday asking why I can’t pay mom more money so that they can come see me. How can... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2024
You will have to take her back to court. The legal system is not self actuating and you have to bring a petition for family access and motion to modify to would likely be in order too. You need to speak to a family attorney.
Her grandparents have custody but yet have not said anything tell she got back into Missouri then comes over and just yells through my door that she needs to go with them or else. We don’t know what to do but she is not mentally stable there and hates living with them. Her mom gave her promotion... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
In situations where there's a dispute over the custody or living arrangements of a minor, the legal custody order takes precedence. If the grandparents have legal custody of your friend, they generally have the right to decide where she lives until she reaches the age of majority, which is 18... View More
He will not talk to me about it or agree to anything but just wants me out. He purposely makes it uncomfortable for me here hoping I'll go. I'm disabled due to a stroke some years ago and it's very unsettling.
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answered on Feb 23, 2024
It's concerning that your husband is not willing to discuss visitation arrangements for your son and is pressuring you to leave the apartment. As a parent, you have rights regarding custody and visitation, and it's essential to advocate for your son's well-being and your own rights.... View More
I would like to file for emancipation but cannot get a job under my mother's rules because she is controlling and does not want me finding any way out of her custody. DFS supports this, and the caseworker does see the mental and emotional abuse but thinks that because my mother is the parent,... View More
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answered on Dec 6, 2023
Your situation sounds incredibly difficult, and it's understandable that you're seeking a way to improve your circumstances. Emancipation is a legal process that can grant minors independence from their parents, but it does come with certain requirements and challenges, especially in your... View More
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