Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am the mother of a child for whom my child's aunt currently has court-ordered custody. The child's father, who is her brother, is willing to sign over his parental rights to her. I am supportive of this arrangement and do not want to give up my parental rights. Is it possible for my... View More 
answered on Feb 14, 2025
The short answer is no. A child cannot be adopted without a termination of BOTH parent's rights. However, a termination depending on the circumstances may not be that hard to obtain with abandonment being the easiest route under the Adoption statutes. It would be wise for you to consult an... View More
When my daughter was one year old, I lost custody while I was in prison due to a drug problem. A family promised to return her but used their connections in DHR to gain custody while I couldn't attend court. My daughter, now 14, contacted me, and we communicate daily. There have been no... View More
answered on Feb 14, 2025
A lot to unwrap here and as anyone else will tell you it is probably best to sit down with an attorney and due a real fact based analysis with ALL of the facts as no matter how much your write here all relevant facts are seldom fully disclosed. If you still have parental rights and those rights... View More
Hello my son's father is trying to avoid paying child support and he has received a settlement check but I believe that he put the check in his wife's name or another family members name. I would like to know if I can pay an attorney to find information on the settlement and verify that... View More
answered on Sep 28, 2024
Yes,. You can do that and more. If the father owes money you can file a contempt/collection case and if you know the source of the settlement and/or the attorney who procured it for him you can issue a subpoena directly to them. If you don't know you can issue written questions to the... View More
For the first four years of my daughters life, I was told she was not mine. then her mother said that she was mine and she filed for child support so I had a paternity test done and found out she was in fact my child I have no problem paying child support but I have sensed moved from Arizona to... View More
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answered on Feb 9, 2024
As a father who pays child support and has been confirmed as the biological parent through a paternity test, you have rights to seek custody or visitation of your child in Alabama. Your financial support does not directly determine your custody rights, but demonstrating a willingness to support... View More
I share joint custody with my daughter's paternal grandparents, they have primary. Due to the fact i have struggled with addiction. I am in a rehabilitation program and due to graduate soon. I do not want them to get the full custody, I'd like to remain joint until I have more sobriety... View More
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answered on Feb 1, 2024
In Alabama, when determining child custody, the court's primary consideration is the best interests of the child. If you wish to prevent your daughter's paternal grandparents from obtaining full custody, you will need to demonstrate to the court that it is in your daughter's best... View More
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answered on Jan 19, 2024
In Alabama, if you are involved in a family law case, particularly in matters of child custody or child support, you may be required to answer interrogatories. Interrogatories are written questions submitted by one party to the other as part of the discovery process in a legal proceeding. Failure... View More
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answered on Dec 27, 2023
In the situation of a 26-year marriage with a disabled adult son and being told to leave by the husband, the resolution can depend on various factors. While your name not being on the lease may complicate matters, Alabama's laws may provide certain protections for spouses, especially... View More
My boyfriend had dealing with dhr with his babymama was on drugs and dhr said that she cannot be around kids but she can visit daytime must be watch supervision on her around kids but she cannot sleep at her house at all. She decide to refused not follow the dhr said. She stay her own house because... View More
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answered on Dec 27, 2023
In Alabama, the Department of Human Resources (DHR) sets guidelines for child safety, including conditions for parental visits in cases where substance abuse is involved. If DHR stated that the mother could not be around the kids except for supervised daytime visits, this should be strictly... View More
He tries to call the police who do i talk to for this problem ?
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answered on Dec 11, 2023
In dealing with the issue of your child's father seeing the kids inconsistently and involving the police when visitation is denied, it's important to have a clear understanding of your legal rights and obligations. If there is a custody agreement or court order in place, it's crucial... View More
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answered on Nov 30, 2023
In general, it's best to avoid contact with the plaintiff in a child custody case if you can. This can help to reduce conflict and make it easier to resolve the case. However, there may be some cases where it's necessary to have contact with the plaintiff, such as to exchange information... View More
I have filed a petition for custody of my 7-year-old grandchild due to the mother's inability to properly care for the child, which includes issues with drug use and housing instability. The child was residing and attending school in Jefferson County, although the mother resides in Walker... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Yes, there can be a venue exception in custody cases when the best interest of the child supports filing in a county where the child is physically present, even if they haven’t lived there for a full six months. In your situation, the child has been enrolled in school in Jefferson County and... View More
I am an 18-year-old aunt in Alabama, soon to be 19, and I am actively involved in my 2-year-old niece's life. Her parents, who currently have custody, have a history of domestic violence and drug charges and have had a case with DHR, during which they temporarily lost custody. Given this... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
You can insist that your sister leave your home immediately, since she’s trespassing and has no legal right to your property. Call the police and demand removal of an unauthorized occupant, and if needed file a dispossessory affidavit in magistrate court under O.C.G.A. § 44‑7‑50 to regain... View More
My initial court order is from Alabama, but a judge in Florida wrote a temporary parenting plan and time-sharing with a minor. The father violated an injunction in Florida and was incarcerated. Can you please advise on whether the temporary order in Florida is valid under the UCCJEA, considering... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Under the UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act), the state that issued the original custody order generally maintains jurisdiction over the case, unless certain conditions are met. Since your original order is from Alabama, Alabama would typically retain jurisdiction,... View More
I have partial custody of my children every other weekend, as per a court order. Recently, I have been unable to see them because their mother has blocked my attempts to communicate, claiming that I am dangerous, even though there is no legal finding or restriction against me. This has been... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
If you have a court order granting you partial custody of your children, you have the right to see them during your designated weekends. However, the issue of picking them up from school may depend on the specific terms of the court order. In general, unless the court order restricts your access to... View More
I am currently being sued for child support for my three sons. My ex-husband gained custody by hiring an attorney and presenting false information in court, while I couldn't defend myself due to unemployment. I am a single mother and the sole provider for my severely disabled son, who requires... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Alabama, child support calculations typically consider both the income of the parents and the needs of the children. Since your disabled son requires 24/7 care, you may have a valid argument for modifying the child support amount for your other children, especially if your income is limited due... View More
In Alabama, my 17-year-old boyfriend's mother is trying to prevent him from being involved once his baby is born. What legal steps can he take to ensure his parental rights are protected after the baby is born? Is it possible for his mother to legally prevent him from seeing his child?
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Alabama, your boyfriend has clear parental rights once the child is born, regardless of his age. His mother cannot legally deny him access to his child without a court order specifically restricting his parental rights. To protect his rights fully, he should formally establish paternity... View More
I am seeking a pro bono lawyer to help me with the beginning stages of a divorce in Alabama. There are children involved, and I need guidance on child custody and support, as well as division of assets. How can I find pro bono legal assistance for this process?
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Navigating a divorce with children in Alabama can be challenging, especially when seeking pro bono legal assistance. Start by contacting Legal Services Alabama at 1-866-456-4995 or applying online through their website. They provide free legal aid to low-income individuals and may assist with... View More
I am 16 years old and currently living with my grandmother in Alabama after being removed from my mother's care in Texas due to domestic violence and poor living conditions. Although I was placed with my grandmother, I am unsure if she has legal custody or if my mother retains control over... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
First, it’s important to find out who currently has legal custody of you. If your grandmother has custody, she would generally have the legal authority to make decisions about where you live, but it’s crucial to confirm this. Since you were removed from your mother’s care due to safety... View More
I have been engaged to my fiancé for six years, and during this time, we have been caring for his three daughters from a previous relationship. The children's mother and her partner struggled with drug issues, and 5.5 years ago, they left the children with us for their wellbeing. Although I... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
Your situation is heartbreaking and complex, especially with so much responsibility falling on you and your fiancé for so long. Because there have been no formal custody proceedings, the mother may technically still have parental rights. However, her long absence, history of drug use, and lack of... View More
answered on Oct 15, 2024
An Alabama attorney would know best when it comes to local resources, but your question remains open for two weeks. One option is to look into legal aid organizations. There is a Legal Aid Society of Birmingham. That's not immediately local to Madison, the region in your post, but it's... View More
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