Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

Child custody jurisdiction

My three year old son was born in Florida at which time his father signed a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity to have his name on the birth certificate since we weren't married. He saw my son a total of 4 times from birth to nine months and lost interest. When my son turned 17 months old I moved him to Illinois and his father didn't object. I also sent certified mail with our new address. His father refused to contribute financially so I filed for child support when my son turned 3. His father sent me legal papers stating he wants a paternity test and if it proves he is the father he wants visitation to take place in Florida every weekend at my expense since I removed the child from Florida. Doesn't Illinois have jurisdiction over this case? Could a Florida court really force me to send a three year old to the home of a man he doesn't know every weekend in another state? What visitation is he likely to get considering he had no interest in the child until I filed for child support, has a record of domestic violence with the U.S. military, and has past substance abuse problems( the only evidence I have of this is emails he sent me)?


Asked on 3/19/07, 11:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Zuganelis Zuganelis & Zuganelis, Attorneys at Law, P.C.

Re: Child custody jurisdiction

After the child has been in Illinois for 6 months, Illinois has jurisdiction. Hire an attorney and file here in Illinois. What he's asking for is too much.

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Answered on 3/20/07, 10:16 am


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