Seeking Sole Custody

[sand77]

Hi everybody, i'm going thorough some problems and need some advise.

I am a single mom of a 5 year old daughter. Her father and I were never married, but lived together off and on for about 6 years. He was a heavy drug user which lead to all sorts of problem. I finally got fed up and made him leave my house for good.

We never went to court, we made our own arrangements and he always gave me money here and there. For a while he seemed to be doing good, so i would allow him to take our daughter for a few hours, and just take her for ice cream, or to the park, etc., but the problem is that lately, whenever he comes around to pick up our daughter for the day, he shows obvious signs of drug use. He looks terrible, always fidgeting, and irritable. I became unconfortable and finally told him that i was concerned and didn't feel confortable with him taking our daughter. He (as always) became extreamly confrontational and angry. I told him he can come anytime to see our daughter, but i wouldn't let him take her. Now it got to the point where he calls me and tells me off, and stopped giving me $$$.

I guess i'm just tired of dealing with all this. What I really would like, is to get sole custody of our daughter, and give him supervised visitation rights.

I am a very good parent, have a good job, independent and have never gotten into any sort of trouble, not even a parking ticket. He, however, has a very long criminal wrap sheet. A friend of mine who's a cop just pulled out his criminal record last week and saw that since early 90's, he was convicted of 12 counts of identity theft, which he only got probation for, then convitected a few years later for assault w/deadly weapon and battery, which he served about 1 yr of county jail. And, just recently, he was cited by (not arrested) for having marijuana (less that 1 oz) and a drug pipe in his vehicle. He missed court so now there's a warrant for his arrest. He's never held a steady job, and has not filed taxes (IRS is after him). Since we seperated, he has not had a stable home, only lasting at a place for a month or two at the most. I don't even know where he lives now.

Despite of how bad this guy is, my poor daughter loves him to death, and it tears me up for her to think that i'm trying to stop her father from seeing her. He is just not a responsible person.

I don't even care for child support $$. I can manage on my own. I just want sole custody.

Do you guys think i need a lawyer, or can i do this on my own? Any suggestions, or experiences would be greatly apprecited.

PS. I live in California.

[panther10758]

It is never a good idea to pursue anything in court with proper legal representation. If you botch this up even a little it could cost you or keep you from your goal. Consult with a Family Law Attorney before you petition court