Legal Question in Family Law in California

My daughter's biological father decided that he wants to be part of my child life after 6 yrs. So he took me to court and the court ordered "reunificatioin counseling" I cannot afford the counseling so I decided to handle it on my own. She just turned 7 and she has known nothing about him, until yesterday. I told her his name and that he is her biological father. So they will meet and I guess the Law says they have the right to a relationship. So that is something that will obviously take some time, being that he is a total stranger. He told me that he has a lawyer and is filing for 50/50 custody of my daughter. Can he do that? Will the courts grant him 50/50? being that he has never met her and she is 7 yrs old? I dont know what to do or where to go for help??


Asked on 5/04/10, 9:33 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

You need to get a lawyer and file for your own custody order. It is highly unlikely that a court will disrupt the child's life by ordering 50/50 custody after his long absence, but the court will order reasonable visitation. You really should have complied with the court order, as failing to do so will cut against you, but ultimately the court will do what it determines is in the "best interests of the minor child." The good news is that you have a right to an order for child support arearages going back three years, plus support going forward.

Read more
Answered on 5/11/10, 1:04 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in California