Get free answers to your Family Law 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
My mom is mentally abusive and has told me if i leave she will call the cops and they will pick me up and put me in juvee My mom has made sure it is impossible for me to get emancipated.
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answered on Apr 12, 2024
I'm sorry you're dealing with an abusive situation at home. That must be very difficult. Since you are under 18, legally you are still considered a minor and your parents have custody over you. If you leave home without permission, your mother could report you as a runaway and the police... View More
My husband has had his son in his care for his whole life. He had filed for custody and was sent to mediation. The mediator made him feel bad for not letting his birth mom see the child. He agreed to 50/50 custody, but the mom never signed the papers
Fast forward two months she sent him... View More
answered on Apr 5, 2024
Mediation itself is typically not binding unless the parties involved reach a mutually agreed-upon settlement that is then documented in a binding agreement and submitted to the Court. One of the tenants of mediation is the understanding that the parties may speak to individual counsel after... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2024
If you are dealing with a situation involving Child Protective Services (CPS), it's important to understand your rights and how the system works. Generally, CPS caseworkers can remove children from their homes if they believe the children are in imminent danger of serious harm. However, this... View More
She aged out of foster care at 18 and is now 25 no longer in the care of the state but still has it opened as unresolved and it's been 10 yrs.
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answered on Mar 11, 2024
Based on the information provided, it seems highly unlikely that the Department of Family Services (DFS) would still have an open case against you 10 years after your daughter turned 18 and aged out of foster care. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Age of majority: In most states,... View More
This person has attacked me by every means possible. Through dfs to aging to Falsified police reports. There are 23 reports to police from me on the attacks. It has gone to pushing door open on me and assaulting me and disabled member. Two evictions in three months. Yet police do nothing. What do I... View More
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answered on Mar 9, 2024
I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly difficult and distressing situation with your family member. Being subjected to gaslighting, false allegations, and physical assaults over such a prolonged period must be absolutely traumatic and exhausting. You're wise to recognize... View More
my legal husband received an order of protection from a relative of mine but is not sure how to make it to Cass County as he resides in Wyandotte County. The court date is March 6, 2024
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answered on Feb 26, 2024
If your legal husband has received an order of protection from a relative of yours in Cass County Court, it's essential to carefully review the documents provided to determine whether his appearance in court is required. Typically, orders of protection involve court hearings where both parties... 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 have the defendants address and employer/employer address. It is unclear to me which forms to use for garnishment against their wages. Must I go back to court for garnishment or can I submit forms to the court office?
answered on Feb 15, 2024
Congratulations on getting a judgment. That's often the easy part, unfortunately. The court should have the forms online. You can do this yourself or if you want to increase the chance of doing it right and getting paid, hire an attorney either by the hour or on a percentage basis.
background: Im 19 and my girlfriend is 17, we’ve been together since she was 15 and i was 17 and as soon as i turned 18 her dad died. her family life is rough and she wants to move in with me but her mom wont emancipate her or even let her get a job. (shes over controlling over what she does and... View More
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answered on Jan 30, 2024
No, generally a 17-year-old cannot legally move out without parental consent unless they are emancipated. Some things to consider:
• In most states, a 17-year-old is still legally considered a minor, meaning parents/guardians are still legally responsible for care and residency decisions.... View More
My husband was declared disabled and since has regained cognitive functions, how do we get him his rights back and end conservatorship
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answered on Jan 21, 2024
Here are the steps to end a conservatorship in Missouri when your husband has regained capacity:
1. File a Joint Petition for Termination of Conservatorship with the probate court that has jurisdiction over the conservatorship. This requests that the court terminate the conservatorship.... View More
I was provided with an attorney but they never filed any emotions on my behalf I was never allowed to call any witnesses or produce any evidence on my behalf. It's an attorney provided by the state and they have done absolutely nothing to help me in my case. They have denied me my... View More
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answered on Jan 15, 2024
If you feel that your state-appointed attorney has not adequately represented you, you have the right to raise this concern. Ineffective assistance of counsel can be a serious issue, especially if it impacts your constitutional right to due process.
First, consider discussing your concerns... View More
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answered on Jan 4, 2024
In Missouri, as in many states, the age of majority is 18. This means that until you turn 18, you are considered a minor under the law, and your parents or legal guardians have certain rights and responsibilities regarding your care and custody.
If you choose to leave home before turning... View More
I'm now 43000 behind in child support.
Wht are my options
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answered on Jan 3, 2024
Child support obligations are typically determined by court orders based on factors such as income and financial circumstances. If you were previously ordered to pay child support and the obligation ceased when you got back together, it's crucial to understand that the court order remains in... View More
In a divorce judgment can respondent who was wrongly incarcerated, request to set aside a judgment in a divorce ,or ask for retrial, based on Missouri rule 74.06 using excusable neglect, by incorporating Federal Rule 60.
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answered on Dec 25, 2023
Yes, it is possible to set aside a divorce judgment or request a retrial based on excusable neglect under Missouri law. Here are some key points:
- Missouri Supreme Court Rule 74.06 allows a party to seek relief from a final judgment or order due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or... View More
My son's wife filed for divorce 3 yrs ago. He was ordered to pay for her lawyer $4000. He also had to get a lawyer for himself. The judged ordered him to pay his wife $1600/month, $800 for 2 kids and $800 for her, and make the payment on HIS house and he could not live there. He of course... View More
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answered on Dec 25, 2023
In Missouri, if a divorce filing remains inactive for an extended period, it is possible for the court to dismiss the case for lack of prosecution. However, the dismissal of the case would not necessarily nullify the initial court orders, especially those related to child support, spousal support,... View More
could the 21 year old person have any sexual relations with someone of age 17 in Missouri without the possibility of legal repercussions
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answered on Dec 19, 2023
In Missouri, the age of consent is indeed 17. This means that individuals who are 17 years of age or older can legally consent to sexual activity. Therefore, a 21-year-old can legally engage in sexual relations with a 17-year-old without facing statutory rape charges, as the younger individual is... View More
If I cannot file an appeal can I file a motion for view or some other type of motion to get back before the judge because I have new evidence and what this is to call and I am better prepared at this point for the allegations of the state is making against me I am trying to get a protection order... View More
answered on Dec 20, 2023
Based upon the facts that you describe, it seems likely that your petition to intervene was denied because of a lack of standing in that you are not the children's legal grandparent. If so, an appeal will most likely be unsuccessful.
However, if the adoption is granted as expected,... View More
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