I am going to court for paternity to be established (never married), custody and support. My Ex won't let me see my son for NO REASON. She's filed a restraining order against me. I am going to mediation, and have sooo many questions/ fears. Florida.
My lawyer says if it goes to court, it will cost a minimum of $20,000. I'm not sure if I can borrow that much. Is this true, or should I look for a more affordable attorney. Is there a way to do it cheaper by streamlining the process. Mediation will probably lead nowhere because the Ex is extrememly unreasonable.
I have been told that I need a 2 bedroom apt. to have overnight visitation. I have this, but can only afford it with a roomate. I have also been told that having a roomate is very likely to prevent me from having overnights. If this is all mostly true, I can't afford overnight visitations. The court would also have a problem if I moved into a cheap/questionable neighborhood. The child is less than a year old, so does not need his own bedroom yet. What can I do?
I heard that anything I agree to in mediation is permanent. How can that be? Can't we agree to certain things for now, then agree to revisit the matters at a later date when the child's age neccesatates making changes? If I could do this, then we could agree to one living situation now, but revisit my # of bedrooms/ roomate issues later.
What happens if when you go to trial, you run out of money, and no longer have your lawyer?
I was told that if I agree to sign that I'm the Father now (so I can see my son), I will be on the hook for child support until he is 18, even if a DNA test later shows I'm not the father. Is this true?
Please help, My lawyer would charge me like $17 million dollars to answer all these questions.

