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I am dealing with a difficult situation regarding my parental rights in Keene, New Hampshire. I am 18 months sober after a long struggle with addiction, but my rights to my youngest child were terminated a few months ago despite testifying and making progress. I have two older children in my... View More 
I am the mother of a 2.5-year-old child in New Hampshire. I was never married to the father and there is no custody order in place. Due to a situation involving domestic abuse, where he threatened my life, I am considering moving to Florida for safety reasons. Currently, my child lives with me... View More
I live in Michigan, and my son, who resides in New Hampshire, shares custody of my grandson with his ex-wife. Although there have been no past legal agreements, my son and his family have visited me before. However, due to differing political views, my son is now threatening to deny me visits with... View More
Over the summer of 2024. I got my children back out out of custody of the state I had them in my care from December to July. The state failed to protect my children while they’re end of the state care. My son was molested by the previous foster parent and now my oldest has been sexually violated... View More
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answered on Feb 8, 2025
That sounds like an incredibly painful and frustrating situation, and it’s understandable that you want justice for your children. When a state agency like DCYF fails to protect children in its care, there may be legal grounds for a lawsuit, particularly if negligence can be proven. This could... View More
answered on Oct 13, 2024
That would largely depend on your court-ordered parenting plan. Depending upon the nature of the employment, it may also be considered a significant activity impacting their health and/or welfare; most parenting plans would require both parents to agree to any such activity. The age for most jobs... View More
answered on Oct 12, 2024
If the father is not on the birth certificate, he would need to file a parenting petition in the family division. In that case, the father would have to request a paternity test to prove he is in fact the biological father. Then the father has asserted his parental rights. Once those are... View More
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answered on Mar 21, 2024
If you're seeking access to case records from the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), it's important to know the process and time frames involved. The rules around this are set to protect the privacy and welfare of the children involved, while also providing... View More
she has no recollection ,asnd her ex boyfriend allegedly got a call that dcyf is taking kids tomorrow.no one will speak to her.its sunday,happened sat.what can she do?
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answered on Dec 12, 2023
Your wife should take immediate steps in response to the complex situation.
If the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) gets involved, she should cooperate fully, answering questions honestly and maintaining politeness.
It's crucial to gather relevant documents,... View More
answered on Nov 7, 2023
I'm confused by your question.
The family member who "agrees" is a baby nephew? How old?
A parent also agrees. What about the other parent?
No, a court would not grant a guardianship without a hearing.
We were never married never been to court.I’ve always been the primary provider for the children.He rarely reaches out to them since he’s been gone and isn’t providing any type of support.
answered on Apr 14, 2022
Assuming NH is the home state of you and the children, you don't need to wait! You would be filing a parenting petition seeking sole decision-making responsibility and residential responsibility for the children. Because the children are exclusively your responsibility, you may also want to... View More
The court is appointing a GAL and I can’t afford it, and I’m not sure I need one, we were never married/divorced..there is no issue with the bio dad he left and was never heard from until I contacted him regarding this, he has his life and I have mine we just want to terminate his rights and he... View More
answered on Dec 13, 2019
The statute requires it.
File a motion & see if the court will ordere the state to pay the GAL.
I'm a GAL, as well as a lawyer.
Husband is intoxicated and unsafe with children but refuses to leave home. What do I do? I am afraid he will get partial custody if i take it to court and I'm terrified of my kids being in his care while under the influence
answered on May 28, 2019
That would certainly be a factor in a custody (parenting) determination. However, courts tend to want both parents involved in the children's lives. Without documented abuse, it is difficult to fully terminate parental rights. If the alcoholism is well documented (arrests for DUI, etc.), you... View More
Child' father lost his job and kicked out of where he was staying. Started living with his mother while trying to find a new job and a new place to live. He is supposed to have our child overnight every other weekend. Does this change now that he doesn't not have a place of his own? What... View More
answered on Feb 1, 2019
If the child has a "sleeping space," (own bed or area to sleep, but most preferably a bedroom), the Court may still permit the parenting time to continue. Many people lose jobs or fall into bad situations and live with a relative. If this is weekend parenting time, the Court is more... View More
Her visits were terminated 1 1/2 years ago. I've had legal guardianship of him since he was 5 1/2 months he is almost 5. The only home he has ever known is with my husband and I
answered on Nov 5, 2018
You do not have to respond but it may depend on the written court decision for the guardianship. It may state in the decision what types of contact the mother can or cannot have. Read it carefully. Just keep in mind that generally speaking, courts prefer allowing some types of contact with the... View More
answered on May 30, 2018
You should report the abuse to DCYF and obtain a protective order. You should seek court approval prior to moving out of state.
I have primary custody of my 6 year old son and my ex girlfriend has visitation 3 weekends a month. My ex girlfriend lives with her mother and was just arrested for becoming belligerent and throwing things through windows. My friend lives next door to her and has also said that she believes my ex... View More
answered on May 30, 2018
You can file an ex parte motion to temporarily prevent parenting time with the mother so long as you can show that your son will suffer irreparable harm or injury if the relief requested is not granted. You would file this motion by going to the family court where your parenting plan was issued.... View More
My ex girlfriend has agreed to let me move to another state with my son as she also believes it is in his best interest. I would like to have the parenting plan modified to show that.
answered on May 30, 2018
You would file a new parenting plan, that can be found on the court's website. You would need to outline the new routine schedule you have agreed upon. The court should approve the agreement and you will receive a copy of the new parenting plan once it is approved.
I have maintained majority parenting time of my son for about 3 years now. I moved to NH to be with my son originally. My entire family (parents, 7 siblings, 5 neices and nephews) are all in my home state of KY. I want to move back to be closer to them. If we made an arrangement for her to take him... View More
answered on May 2, 2018
In order to relocate you have to give the other parent 60 days notice of your intent to move. If the other parent objects, the court will need to decide if (1) if the move is for a legitimate purpose; (2) if the move is in the children's best interest. In general, the court will not favor... View More
I was having a back and forth email conversation with my GAL. In the emails I was discussing a proposed parenting plan that I have been working on. My GAL decided to forward our conversation, including the draft of my parenting plan to the opposing counsel, stating that "the other counsel... View More
answered on May 1, 2018
Unless you've agreed to something else in the GAL Stipulation, the GAL's file is open to both parties, meaning everything can be obtained.
answered on May 2, 2018
If the child has live in PA for more than 6 months, that is the child's home state so paternity would be determined in PA. I hope this helps.
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