Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
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
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
We have 2 children the court did not specify which would live tbere he lied and said he stayed there with the kids he does not..thefe are no active restraining orders. Im about to turn one in... I have not had a home per se since I was removed from my farm so could I list that as my residence for... View More
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answered on Dec 1, 2023
In Missouri, if you co-own a property and there are no legal agreements or court orders preventing you from living there, you generally have the right to move into the property. This applies even if the other co-owner is not currently residing there. It’s important, however, to consider any... 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
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
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
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
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.
The other parent does not want to abide by the agreement. The agreement has not went through court.
answered on Sep 9, 2023
The downside to not going through court to get an agreed court order is that your agreement cannot be enforced by contempt of court.
You can sue for damages or for specific performance, but most parental agreements involving children are more a matter of getting on the same page with... View More
His dad also doesn’t do much for him when he is there. He makes other people take care of him like bathing him and feeding him.
answered on Sep 8, 2023
This may be useful evidence in a suit to modify the terms of your possession order. But be aware that what children say to their parent often ends up not being accurate for many different reasons and questioning children after they have spent time with their other parent can be viewed as a type of... View More
answered on Aug 16, 2023
There is not nearly enough information to answer your question. It depends on the facts of your case and if there are previous orders. You should consult with an attorney.
Signed as a co-signer in 2015 to help her out stayed 2 months to help set up and we separated, we’re going into a heated custody battle while doing record searches and requests i found a judgment against me from 2016. I was never served she was and didn’t notify me the Original debt was 3-4k... View More
answered on Aug 13, 2023
I agree with Mr. Pennell about the dangers of co-signing.
For a judgment that is older than one year, the good-cause/meritorious defense bit doesn't apply. Those are the requirements to set aside a default judgment. For your judgment, if you were not properly served, you'd... View More
Modify custody case
answered on Jul 20, 2023
In Missouri, as in other states, a lawyer's obligation to return unused retainer fees to a client is guided by the state's rules of professional conduct, the specifics of the fee agreement you signed, and any applicable state laws or regulations.
According to Rule 4-1.16(d) of the... View More
If they get a restraining order against the other parent
answered on Jul 10, 2023
You will need to speak to an attorney in person. Venue for a child custody proceeding can be complex and will take a review of the cases and facts before a reasonable answer can be given.
My son got took out of school on may 22nd saying child abuse because of my ex who called them I had a lil apartment and they still took him it was clean fridge we had food this happened a month ago he was put into foster care my brother has him now but I am still fighting to get him back I have... View More
answered on Jun 26, 2023
You need an attorney. Who will be able to help you understand and prepare a defense to the allegations or help you convince the Court that your son should be returned to you. It is hard to say what you can do yourself as we cannot see the filings and allegations in the case. Please contact an... View More
He just recently found out where we live and sent the police out here to do a health and welfare check on my daughter at midnight. I just want to protect myself and my daughter. Her last memories of him are from when he stole a car and wrecked it and left her locked inside of it. I need to find a... View More
answered on May 17, 2023
You cannot get a restraining order in MO for a child when there is a divorce decree with custody determinations in place because the divorce judgment has higher authority than an order of protection (what is referred to as a restraining order). You will need to register your divorce judgment in MO... View More
Father has visitation rights from Wednesday at 7 pm to Saturday at noon. Mother has the other days. The mother has spring break in odd years, so 2023. Spring break, according to their parenting plan, is defined as "6 pm the day school dismisses until 1 pm the day before school resumes".... View More
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