Custody... does my dad have a good chance? please read details?
I'm 15 years old. I've been trying to move in with my dad for the past month or so. He's seen a lawyer, my mom has seen hers. But once the papers are signed, to my knowledge they have to be approved by a judge. Well my dads living conditions aren't exactly the best.
My dad is a truck driver. He alternates being a truck driver, doing construction, welding, that type of thing. Right now he is a current truck driver. He's only home for 4 days out of the week. His g/f lives with him, along with her son. My dad plans to get a new job as soon as he gets his house paid off, which may be anywhere from a few weeks from now, to a few months. So I'd pretty much be living with either my grandmother or his g/f until he gets off the road.
What I'm asking, is does my dad have a good chance at getting custody with his living conditions? Everything else is great, this is my only concern. Please give me any links if possible. And be 100% honest. Thanks in advance to all.
Answers:
As an adult who has had kids & has worked with high school aged students in the schools, your living conditions with him sound acceptable to me. You'd have constant adult care, if not by him, by at least one other responsible adult. Your Dad isn't out carousing with women...truck driving is an honest profession.
Of course, it's up to the judge...
He stands a better chance if you show up in court and tell the judge personally what you want.
He's a man in family court. That should tell you that he's doomed from the start. The living conditions only make it worse.
Well, I'd be wary of living with the step-mother for several months while dad is completely gone. I would be willing to bet THAT won't work out.
Because of your age, the judge will take into consideration where you want to live as well, but that will not be his deciding factor.
He will take many things into consideration, including the fact that you;ve been with your mom, and that Dad has a new family, so to speak.
I wish you the best, and hang in there.
Depending on what state your in, many judges will consider your wishes, despite what the two adults wants. Courts use the best intrest of the child, and will normally ask you what you want, in making that decision, given your age.
Over the last few years I went through a custody case to regain my custody of my daughter. It was a very unpleasant process, but worth every minute. I took the time to learn the laws, which are slowly changing, but not nearly fast enough. It all depends on the state where you live. I live in California, and when a child turns 13, they can choose which parent they want to live with. I am not sure if this is true in every state, but it might be. Their are many groups out their working to reinstate fathers rights in raising their children. The best one I have found is the Indiana Civil Rights group, which has formed organizations in every state. I will post the link below. Go the web site, and you should be able to find people who can help you find the answers for your state.
The answers post by the user, for information only, FreeLawAnswer.com does not guarantee the right.
Answer question:
More Law Questions and Answers: