Custody Rights for fathers?

[diablo rojo]

Dude I can tell you now they will not give you a whole lot of time with a child that young being away from momma.

Forgot to mention, my daughter was 3 weeks old when my temporary orders were signed. Nothing is impossible.

[94form2000z]

Forgot to mention, my daughter was 3 weeks old when my temporary orders were signed. Nothing is impossible.

Congrats man, she sounds like she was a real winner

I am simply telling this guy he can get visitation without spending every dime he has fighting for it.

[diablo rojo]

Totally agree. I'm pretty sure I got out for around 5k in '99. Filing first is another big win, and one that a lot of guys seem to miss out on.

Joint managing conservatorship is the standard. 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends, split holidays on odd/even years, child support based on income, and one party having managing rights over schooling.

[black50]

Totally agree. I'm pretty sure I got out for around 5k in '99. Filing first is another big win, and one that a lot of guys seem to miss out on.

Joint managing conservatorship is the standard. 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends, split holidays on odd/even years, child support based on income, and one party having managing rights over schooling.

oh yea, forgot about the first to file...that may be the single best thing to do...Thats whay I did and from what my attorney said it can really work out in that persons favor....It did for me

[Mychael101]

Yep. As long as she can't prove you unfit, you're entitled to first, third, and fifth weekends. But you have to go to court to get it. If there is already a court order, a judge can hold her in contempt. But it costs $$ to do so. If there is no court order, you need to get a lawyer immediately and get to court for temporary orders at the very least. Keep record of everything. Save every dime you have, you're going to need it. Record phone conversations. Keep your cool. Don't yell, don't argue, don't cuss her out, don't cry.

Also, contact Fathers for Equal Rights and become a member. www.fathers4kids.org.

I hope you have deep pockets. Going to cost you around $20,000 if you aren't trying to go for more than standard visitation. And if the child is 2 weeks old, you're going to be fucked getting more than standard visitation unless you can prove her an unfit mother. He said she said doesn't matter. It's all about what you can prove, and it has to directly affect the child. Her leaving you for someone else has no bearing on anything.

Agreed. Try to be realistic and go in with the mindset that it's never going to be your case to win, it's her's to lose. My case spanned over 2 years, 2 judegs and very similar costs and while I had an extremely solid case I still lost in my eyes.

Thankfully, I'm filing a formal complaint against the judge that oversaw my our case and that means come time to modify the court orders we'll be in front of a different judge that will have to go over all the evidence.

[slow84lx]

The forums on this site are pro-dad. There is some good reading to do here. The site is mostly geared toward divorces but there is some good information about child support & custody. Good luck with your situation.

http://www.dadsdivorce.com/father_divorce_forum/viewforum.php?f=7&sid=c760769eb367bf408bc688eec6f0fde0

[samuel642000]

Thanks to everyone who replied in here figured i'd throw an update. Things were ok for the first month or two and has slowly became worse. Trying now to take even more time away from me now, like down to 6/hrs/wk total time with my daughter. That was the straw that broke the camels back.
I was cool the whole last two months and still get crapped on, so over the weekend I'll be figuring out a lawyer and all the upfront costs.
Thanks again everyone and anyone else in this situation I'm sorry you're going through this as well.

[diablo rojo]

Good luck man! Contact Fathers for Equal Rights.

[bcoop]

Good luck man! Contact Fathers for Equal Rights.

This is an absolute must. They have a branch in Dallas, and one in Fort Worth. Dedicate every possible minute you can to spending time down there, listening to other people's situations. I wouldn't even talk the first several times you go in there. Just sit and listen. You'll learn a lot, and a lot of what you hear will relate to your own situation.

Best $150 (or whatever they charge these days) that I've ever spent.

[stevo]

Agreed. Try to be realistic and go in with the mindset that it's never going to be your case to win, it's her's to lose. My case spanned over 2 years, 2 judegs and very similar costs and while I had an extremely solid case I still lost in my eyes.

Thankfully, I'm filing a formal complaint against the judge that oversaw my our case and that means come time to modify the court orders we'll be in front of a different judge that will have to go over all the evidence.

Not trying to get in your business, but what did he do to make you want to file a formal complaint?

Stevo

[Big A]

I understand why paternal custody is so rare, but there sure are alot of custodial dad's in this thread alone. What is the secret, are DFMer's just really good at knocking up bat-shit crazy chicks?

[bcoop]

I understand why paternal custody is so rare, but there sure are alot of custodial dad's in this thread alone. What is the secret, are DFMer's just really good at knocking up bat-shit crazy chicks?

We are good at picking winners.


I can't speak to anyone else's experience, but drug abuse (well documented) played a big role, and her mom (my son's grandmother) showing up to testify on my behalf didn't hurt anything. Her being late to court was the final nail in the coffin.

[Jyard]

Thanks to everyone who replied in here figured i'd throw an update. Things were ok for the first month or two and has slowly became worse. Trying now to take even more time away from me now, like down to 6/hrs/wk total time with my daughter. That was the straw that broke the camels back.
I was cool the whole last two months and still get crapped on, so over the weekend I'll be figuring out a lawyer and all the upfront costs.
Thanks again everyone and anyone else in this situation I'm sorry you're going through this as well.

Where do you live? If you're close to McKinney I can give you the name for a good attorney. I had to go through a somewhat similar deal with my ex, but it was over money. She thought she deserved money from me, even though I had my son an equal amount of time during the week, plus I was paying for his daycare.

[Snatch Napkin]

I understand why paternal custody is so rare, but there sure are alot of custodial dad's in this thread alone. What is the secret, are DFMer's just really good at knocking up bat-shit crazy chicks?

It's no secret, we have no special powers. Crazy chicks put out more, and are more inclined to doing the crazy shit we think up.

[bcoop]

It's no secret, we have no special powers. Crazy chicks put out more, and are more inclined to doing the crazy shit we think up.

There's that, too...