Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio

Close to 6 months ago it was established through DNA testing that I am the father of my ex-girlfriends son.Since then I have made numerous attempts to reach her by telephone,email,texting,mediation & "myspace",but with no success.I've left voicemails for the holidays requesting for her to call me back.All the while making it clear to her that I am calling strictly to see how my son & her are doing, as well as requesting to see him,but I never recieved a phone call-nothing!Not even a screw you,which would 've been better than nothing.I then filed for (not custody) but visitation & I finally got her in court for a pre-trial hearing on May 10th,where she acted completely different in front of the judge;saying that she was O.K with letting me see my son without going to court.Neither of us had lawyers.So the judge set us up with mediation,where she went right back to being impossible.The mediator got her to sign papers stating that she was willing to grant me visitation.Although(not a court order).I was then awaiting & looking forward to finally being able to see my son for the 1st. time.(note:he is now a little over a year old & I still have not seen him).Because,while I was anxiously waiting for the letter telling me when,where & how often I could see him,the letter never came & the date that was set for me to see my son came & went without my knowledge.I contacted the post office as well as the court house who both verified that indeed I had missed the date & there had been a mix up with the validity of my mailing address.Now they expect me to wait an aditional 2 months before I go to court again.the court date is now set for july 26th.What can i do???????I am desperate to see my son.I have never made a bottle for him,changed his diaper,made him laugh,soothed him when he was crying,let alone even look into his eyes & let him know that I am therer for him.What are my options???????


Asked on 5/27/10, 11:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nancy Fioritto Patete Nancy Fioritto Patete, Esq.

Whose mail mix-up was it? Assuming you used the court's mediator, your best bet is to make an additonal request through mediation to be able to see your son earlier. Your ex-girlfriend does not seem willing to work with you. This type of struggle is probably long-term. You may want to secure a court order that allows for regular, more frequent visitations and, in the event of mishaps, alternate dates, etc.

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Answered on 5/27/10, 5:32 pm


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