Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Re: what can i do in order to visit my child

Is there an oreder from the court giving you set visitation? If not, you will have to petition the court for visitation. Have you been paying child support? What is the attitude of the mother?

Send me additional information and I will help if I can.

Jon Perry

www.TennesseeLawGroup.com

Re: what can i do in order to visit my child

First you will need to determine where to file a petition for visitation or parenting time. You have not provided enough information to answer your question. Was the child born during marriage? If not, have you been established as the father in court? What court? Because it has been so long, a lot will depend on where the child lives and where you live. Has everyone stayed in the same place or moved.

Once you establish the proper jurisdiction, then you will need to file a petition. You may want to talk to your lawyer(and I think you should hire one)about the practicality of starting off slowly; asking to see the child for and hour at first. Then after a few visits maybe a few hours and only after the child feels comfortable with it extend the visitation to longer periods.

After so much time, regardless of whose fault it is, the child's concerns have to be considered and I think a judge will be more likely to grant your request if you show a degree of reasonableness and sensitivity to the child, setting aside any anger you may have for the mother.

Also the age and wishes of the child may come into play here. I know the child is at least 10. The older he or she is the more the child's desires will be considered.

Best of luck. Don't put this off.

Re: what can i do in order to visit my child

You need to get an attorney and go to court to get an Order setting out when the child will be with you. It is not something you are likely to be able to do alone. Simply find a local attorney you like and schedule an appointment to begin the process.