Father Wants to Take Custody from Maternal Grandparents

[trixxikrissi]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Florida



I am a father of a twelve year old daughter whom is and has been living with my ex girlfriends parents. I currently pay child support to them, but would love to get custody of her. The mother is out of the picture living somewhere unknown. What can I do to prepare for this endeavor? Parenting classes, forms to be filled out, etc? I did not give up parental rights. If you need further information please don't hesitate to ask, I am here for the help! Thank you all.

[Dogmatique]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Florida



I am a father of a twelve year old daughter whom is and has been living with my ex girlfriends parents. I currently pay child support to them, but would love to get custody of her. The mother is out of the picture living somewhere unknown. What can I do to prepare for this endeavor? Parenting classes, forms to be filled out, etc? I did not give up parental rights. If you need further information please don't hesitate to ask, I am here for the help! Thank you all.

Do they have legal custody?

How long has kiddo been with the grandparents?

Have you been involved (visitation, etc.,) in kiddo's life? Do you see her regularly?

[trixxikrissi]

Yes, they have legal guardianship. She has been with them for six years. There was no visitation set up, but I did see her regularly up until the last a couple of years due to living in another state. So as of now it has been quite some time since I have seen her.

[Dogmatique]

Yes, they have legal guardianship. She has been with them for six years. There was no visitation set up, but I did see her regularly up until the last a couple of years due to living in another state. So as of now it has been quite some time since I have seen her.

Your chances are not good right now.

This is a 12 year old who has spent at least half her life living with her grandparents and hasn't seen EITHER parent in at least a couple of years; the court will be reluctant to pull her from everything she's familiar with and place her with you at this point even though you're still the legal parent.

I STRONGLY suggest you get back into a firm visitation pattern and be consistent. That will increase your chances of getting custody in the future.

All is not lost, don't worry - but at the same time, think about what's best for her.

Not you, not Mom, not the grandparents. But your daughter.