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Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Can a former foster parent obtain parental rights or access to a child now returned to their biological parents?

I fostered a child for over a year, but the child has now been returned to their biological parents. During the fostering period, there were no legal proceedings to terminate the biological parents' rights, and I haven’t tried to adopt the child. I would like to know if I can obtain parental... View More

Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Mar 25, 2025

I understand that this is likely a very emotional situation for you, especially after forming a strong bond with the child during the foster placement. In New York, however, the law gives significant weight to the rights of biological parents, particularly when those rights have not been terminated... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: How to regain full custody in NY after losing temporary custody?

I am involved in a child custody case where the other parent currently has temporary custody, although I had full custody of our child until January this year. I have had custody for our child's entire life, largely due to the other parent's long history of neglect and abuse. I would like... View More

Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Mar 25, 2025

I understand how upsetting it must be to lose temporary custody, especially after having been the primary caregiver for your child's entire life. Regaining full custody in New York after a temporary order has been issued involves demonstrating to the court that a change is in the child's... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: How to regain full custody in NY after losing temporary custody?

I am involved in a child custody case where the other parent currently has temporary custody, although I had full custody of our child until January this year. I have had custody for our child's entire life, largely due to the other parent's long history of neglect and abuse. I would like... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
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answered on Mar 27, 2025

We have no idea what happened to this asker. Another parent entered the picture in January, and poof, the child's custody is flipped and the question is how to unflip. We need more information: the facts, the age of the child, the living details of the parents (incomes), copies of transcripts... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Family Law for California on
Q: Seeking advice on custody of 4 children amid divorce in California.

My wife wants a divorce, and I want custody of our four children, who are all five years old. We don't have any shared assets, and there are no existing custody arrangements. My wife also wants custody. We have attempted discussions, but nothing has been agreed upon. What should I do to pursue... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 25, 2025

Requesting custody orders will be a part of your divorce proceedings. Someone files a Petition for Dissolution and the other party files a Response. Each person indicates in the Petition (and in the Response) what custodial arrangement they want. Then, concurrently with filing the Petition (or... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Litigation and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Father's contempt petition vs. mother's jurisdiction transfer request - response timing?

I, the father, have filed a petition of contempt against the mother for arranging a psychological evaluation for our child without my consent, though we have joint legal custody. The mother has filed a petition to transfer the case to a new jurisdiction, as she and the child have moved to a... View More

Patrick J Cooper
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Patrick J Cooper
answered on Mar 27, 2025

You should always file your response timely according to the rules of civil procedure. You will want to check to verify whether the prior relocation order specified whether issuing court retains jurisdiction or if it provides for a transfer to the new state of primary residence of the child. I... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Seeking pro bono custody assistance in Maryland for seeing children.

I am seeking assistance in Maryland for a custody issue concerning my children and need a pro bono family lawyer. The father currently has the children and is not allowing me, the mother, to see them, and we were never married. Are there specific legal aid organizations or programs in Baltimore... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service (MVLS) offers legal assistance through volunteer attorneys to persons of limited means. You can contact MVLS through their website https://mvlslaw.org/free-legal-help/ or by phone at 410-547-6537 (Mon-Thurs).

Additionally, the Circuit Courts offer pro se...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Non-custodial parent rights during spring break in Texas

I'm trying to understand my rights as the non-custodial parent regarding spring break visitation. The custody agreement mentions specific terms for spring break, but I'm unclear about how the weekend visitation before spring break affects my rights. Could you explain my rights in this context?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 24, 2025

In the standard possession order, Spring Break begins on the day school is recessed for Spring Break and ends on the day school resumes after Spring Break. Commonly, school is recessed for Spring Break on a Friday at the end of the school day runs through the following week and then resumes on the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Non-custodial parent rights during spring break in Texas

I'm trying to understand my rights as the non-custodial parent regarding spring break visitation. The custody agreement mentions specific terms for spring break, but I'm unclear about how the weekend visitation before spring break affects my rights. Could you explain my rights in this context?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 24, 2025

To be clear, that usually means that under the standard possession order, the parent who has possession for Spring Break gets two consecutive weekends along with the entire week between them.

So, if the weekend possession schedule is 1st, 3rd, and 5th or 2nd and 4th, the parent who has...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Clarification on jurisdiction in timesharing case after SWAT raid.

I filed an Emergency Motion to Stop Timesharing due to concerns about my children's safety, as their father's house was raided by Lake County SWAT and he has been using drugs. The court's order mentions that I failed to state a cause of action for jurisdiction to modify timesharing,... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Is there a current order on timesharing? If yes, what court issued that order? That is where you would need to file your motion to modify the current court order based on the "best interests of the child." If you have never been to court or if there is no court order then you need to file... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Civil Litigation for Colorado on
Q: Filing for contempt of court in a custody case in Colorado.

I am involved in a custody case where the intervenor has been refusing to allow the respondent mother her court-ordered visitations for the past three months. Additionally, the respondent mother has stopped complying with the court-ordered drug testing for the last 30 days. There is also a paternal... View More

Mark Christopher Smith
Mark Christopher Smith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Yes. You can also file to enforce the parenting time and note that your enforcement efforts include the show cause motion filed contemporaneously with the enforcement motion. All of your enforcement efforts should be preceded by a written request to confer as an attempt to resolve the issue prior... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Default child support order and paternity uncertainty in Texas.

I was put on child support by default without being informed about any court proceedings, and I'm unsure if the child is biologically mine. How can I address this situation, contest the child support order, and request a paternity test?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 20, 2025

You need to challenge the court order entered without notice to you. The best method for such a challenge depends upon the procedural facts of your case. You need to consult an attorney experienced in both family law and appellate law as soon as possible because all of your available remedies... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: How can I establish visitation rights to see my children despite my ex preventing access?

I have been paying child support, but my ex has continuously prevented me from seeing my children since 2016. There is no formal custody or visitation order in place, although I have raised this issue during child support hearings and was advised to seek a pro bono family law lawyer. Despite... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 20, 2025

You need to file something with the Court asking the Court to set periods of visitation so that your vistiation rights become an order of the Court. If yoou are unable to hire an attorney, then contact the local bar association and see if they have a pro bono program, or if they can provide you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Civil Litigation for Arizona on
Q: Options for challenging unreasonable parenting time order in AZ

I have been exercising my parenting time without issues for the past five years, during which my children have flown to me in Washington. Recently, the mother filed an emergency motion that falsely claims the children do not want to fly to WA, leading the Arizona judge to temporarily suspend my... View More

Rich J. Peters
Rich J. Peters
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Did the court enter these orders without even hearing from you ("ex-parte")? If so, then under our rules, you are entitled to a very quick hearing at which point mother would have to prove her concerns. If that hearing has already taken place, please know that temporary orders are only... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Louisiana on
Q: Can a mother force a child to stay overnight against her wishes?

I have visitation with my 9-year-old daughter from 10 am on Saturday to 4 pm on Sunday. She prefers to be at home at night rather than staying over, but her mother insists she must stay. I've tried talking to the mother about our daughter's preferences, but she hasn't agreed to a... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 18, 2025

I assume your custodial arrangement is in writing in the form of a stipulation or judgment which has most likely been signed by a Judge---assuming that is correct, then unless (until) it is changed, that is the rule/law of your case and is to be followed unless the parties agree not to do so. If... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for California on
Q: Can I request a default judgment in parentage case if respondent hasn't responded?

I had a court date on March 11, 2025, regarding a parentage case. The respondent filed a request to quash the case, citing my relocation to a new county, but the judge ruled against quashing. During that session, the judge also confirmed paternity, and the respondent signed a paper acknowledging he... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 18, 2025

Default occurs when the Respondent does not file a response to the petition for parentage (aka paternity; aka Petition to Establish Parental Relationship). The responding party is not necessarily in default because they do not file a response to other types of filings such as a Request for Order.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Considering an amicable divorce with children, moving from AZ to UT. Where to file: AZ or wait for UT residency?

My wife and I are considering a mediated, amicable divorce, but we will be moving from Arizona to Utah this summer, possibly in August. We have been Arizona residents since 2023 and have two children, ages 9 and 5, with plans for 50/50 custody. We are deciding whether to file for divorce in Arizona... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Mar 17, 2025

One of the requirements for filing in Arizona is that at least one of the spouses must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days. That means you must have lived here for the 90 days prior to filing for divorce with the intent to remain here. You indicate, "We wish to file for divorce soon after... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Contracts and Civil Litigation for Arizona on
Q: How can I legally protect my custody rights in AZ?

I recently broke up with my girlfriend, and we have a child together. We verbally agreed to share custody, each having half a week with our child. However, she told my sister she wants to take my daughter away from me, which she's denied to me, but she often lies. There has been no formal... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Mar 17, 2025

It sounds like it is time to go to Court. It's probably the only option you have right now to protect your parental rights.

What you're going to need to do is file a Petition to Establish Paternity, Legal Decision-making, Parenting Time, and Child Support with the Court and get...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: Can criminal charges arise from receiving child support after losing custody in NY?

In one county, a woman lost custody and parental rights to her child, who was then moved to another county. Despite this, she continued to receive child support from the father in the first county, as the court was unaware of the custody change. The child support order continued for over 17 years,... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Mar 16, 2025

A person can not go to jail simply for receiving child support under a valid child support order. However if the person lied under oath in court about where the child lives, whether the child was emancipated or if service of process was validly effectual, those are criminal perjury.

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce, Criminal Law and Family Law for California on
Q: Can I move back to Ohio with my daughter during divorce?

I am a stay-at-home husband, a veteran with 100% permanent and total disabilities, earning $50,000 a year. My wife works part-time, and I cover all living expenses. We moved to California six months ago temporarily to stay with my wife’s parents, but our home and my insurance are still based in... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 15, 2025

Since no one has filed anything yet and therefore there are no court orders, you are free to move wherever you want. Since you have both lived here (CA) for at least 6 months, Mom can likewise, file here in CA and get custody orders in place, forcing you to bring the child back to CA from Ohio.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: How can I safely pursue joint custody and protect myself from my threatening partner in Maryland?

I am scared of my children's father and want to obtain joint custody, but he refuses to let me break up with him, threatening to hurt me and take my kids. I have not taken any legal action against him, and currently live in a hotel with my kids until moving into my own place on April 1st. I... View More

Lee Eidelberg
Lee Eidelberg
answered on Mar 14, 2025

If your husband is placing you in apprehension of imminent serious bodily harm, you can petition the court (either District or Circuit) for a Protective Order. That Order could require your husband, by example, to refrain from having any contact with you, staying away from your current residence,... View More

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