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District of Columbia Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My custody order happened in Toronto Canada, the mother moved to Dallas with my daughter does the order apply?

The mother then moved without my knowledge to DC, has missed 5 visits and refuses all phone calls, I'm suing for full custody. What, if any, documentation do I need? Also, I live in New York City.

We were married in the states 5 years ago. Divorced finaled this year.

Is this... View More

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Mar 5, 2023

If the mother and child have lived in DC for 6 months, DC would have jurisdiction. You would need the Toronto custody order. You would sue for custody in the DC court asking the court to either accept and enforce the Toronto custody order or grant you custody based on the fact she moved to Dallas,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for District of Columbia on
Q: How do I get permanent shared custody of my 6 y/o daughter?

Greetings: My 6 y/o daughter's mother and I have temporary shared custody and have been to court three times to make the 50/50 arrangement permanent. Her mother has recently filed a restraining order prohibiting me, the father, from seeing her prior to a court hearing on Dec. 6, 2022. I want... View More

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Nov 30, 2022

I'm not sure there is a question here, but I can tell you, as an attorney who only represents men in custody cases, men often have an uphill battle in DC domestic relations court. I am happy to offer a consultation to you. I can be reached at (202) 262-5843 or laurence.socci@soccilawfirm.com.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can a parent take child away from nonparent if they didn't raise him?

I have my cousins child and she wants him back. We didn't go to court.

Alan Solomon
Alan Solomon
answered on Jun 17, 2018

Yes unless you have a court order for custody, parents have superior rights. If the natural parents are harmful to the child go file an emergency motion. If it is simply not in child's best interest file for custody immediately

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for District of Columbia on
Q: Is there a difference between physical and legal custody?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 12, 2018

Yes, and it's an important difference.

Physical custody refers to the the parent's custodial right to have the child in their care, during whatever time frames the court order directs, or during all times when the other parent is not afforded specific times for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for District of Columbia on
Q: If there is no custody agreement, can grandparents refuse to allow father to see child? Mom is out of town.
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Aug 22, 2017

Is there a custody order from a court? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for District of Columbia on
Q: Can i withdraw my child from school?

We both have shared joint & legal physical& sole custody with visitation rights but I'm not on nothing of hers. The dad enrolled her in school but they said i can't withdraw her from school until i show them proof.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Aug 22, 2017

What do the court orders say about that? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for District of Columbia on
Q: Me and my fiance what to file for full custody of our children how can we do this in DC

No one else is trying to file we just want ful custody for our piece of minds

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Aug 2, 2017

You file for custody in court. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for District of Columbia on
Q: What can I do if my son who's is 9 wants to come home and his dad won't let him neither of us have court order custody

He went to finish the school year no his father's cut all contact no number to reach him no address and I try to call via face book no answer neither of us have a court ordered custody threw the courts and his father just recently started coming back around he been in and out all his life... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jul 26, 2017

You can file for custody rights in court. If the dad abducted your child, you can report that to the police. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for District of Columbia on
Q: My baby daddy just left me. We are not marry. Can I go to court to get any help from him?

His mother wants to visit my baby too much is that an obligation? Lets say we go to court to fight custody is that something the judge will agree with him? I dont think thats necessary because I'm his mother and he is the dad nobody else should be visiting my baby if I dont want to...

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jul 26, 2017

You can file for custody and child support in court. The mom can file for grandparent visitation rights. Why do you oppose that? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My brother and mother got into a fight but it was her fault and she was arrested can she kick him out if he is underage?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 14, 2017

That may be considered child abuse if she kicks him out and/or if she has been beating him. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for District of Columbia on
Q: Me and my child dad have share joint custody now in DC but he wants to reopen the case and get full custody but if I was

To move to another state like md or va and go file for full custody once I move will I get it or do I have to wait until we go to court in DC once he reopen the case

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 14, 2017

Jurisdiction of the case may remain in DC unless you move and establish new residency elsewhere under the UCCJEA or similar law. The dad might rightly oppose a move-away if it conflicts with his time with the child. Kids need both parents, say developmental psychologists; and the law uses equal... View More

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