Legal Question in Family Law in California
I live in Los ANgeles County, California. I am in the middle of a child custody war. Father was voluntarily uninvolved for five years of my sons life. Child support caught up to him and when my son was five a D.N.A test was done and parantage was established. Father still didnt reach out to child. I reached out to father and introduced father and son. Father wanted full custody only after days of knowing child. I tried to explain to father that he didnt know the child well enough for such a drastic change, and that we should take things slow at first. father hated the idea. After three wekends with child, father continued to pressure me for full custody to stop child support. The last coversation about custody ended in an argument, a threat, and a restraining order. Father stopped calling or picking up son from day car on his own. One year later dad pops up petitionong for full custody. The judge laughed him out of the court room and put him on a step up visitation plan.6 hours every other weekend after two of twelve unification therapy sessions. After five sessions and 18 hrs visitation court appointed attourney decided to grant over nights from friday at 3 until Monday morning. The child was mauled by dads pit bull Saturday morning of that first overnight visit. The therapist who suggested dad was bonded and ready for over nights and joint custody, ignored the court order that instructed her to interview both parents, and the court appointed attourney did not stress to the therapist that mom needed to be interviewed. After much fussing I have sole custody but dad is crying over it. He still gets visits but not overnight until January. We go for a review in a few months if I sign this new paper work, that dosnt specify much. I have sole custody but the father has expressed no intrest in co parenting. My sons face is proof that he simply doesnt care to listen to my suggestions. I asked him not to have the boy around the pit bulls and he blew me off like I was being over protective. Hes very manipulative and no one seems to see that he sais what is neccessary to get his way but when no one is looking he does what ever the hell he wants. What can I do to maintain sole custody while the child is still young to ensure that his father, doesnt have another near fatal accident with our child because hes been given permission by the court to listen to my suggestions or not ? I just want to protect my son.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Not sure what your question really is. There is nothing that "assures" you full custody. The court is always free to order what the court finds is "in the best interests of the child."
For starters, though, you need to file a complaint with animal control and have the dog impounded and evaluated.