Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Do you need an attorney if you are using the attorney general's office?

I'm 31 and had a child out of wedlock. The father of the child left me when the baby was two months old (she is now 9 months). He quit his job, moved to Houston (300 miles away), and moved in with his ex-wife. He has never paid anything nor tried to see the child.

I filed with the attorney general's office to establish child support. I do not receive welfare so I am not mandated to use the attorney general. The father was very angry and has tried to intimidate me saying he will exercise his visitation and take her on weekends. Would a judge order overnight visits with a child under the age of 3 whom he has practically never seen who lives 300 miles away?

I am a master's degreed professional and he is a convicted felon on parole (he is not allowed to contact me (although we have spoken since the incident) because he threatened to kill me and my family...filed a report). Can I get supervised visits until the child is 3? Can I get sole custody? Do I need an attorney to represent me with the attorney general? What to do? I am very concerned because when I spoke to the attorney general's office I was scared because it does not seem they are concerned about any of the above.


Asked on 1/08/02, 3:06 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Brandon Manus Manus Law Office

Re: Do you need an attorney if you are using the attorney general's office?

Is he currently ordered to pay support to you? If so, and he has not, you can file suit and have him held in contempt of court for failing to pay support.

As the father, he is entitled to visitation, but as a convicted felon with a violent past, the visitation can be restricted to only supervised visitation.

You have the option of hiring an attorney to assist you with this.

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Answered on 1/08/02, 3:50 pm
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Do you need an attorney if you are using the attorney general's office?

You definitely need an attonrey. You have already discerned the AG's attitude about your serious concerns. The AG works to recover child support to offset welfare payments made by the state to AFDC mothers and other welfare payments. You are way down their list of priorities if you are not a welfare mother. If you want my assistance with this matter, contact me via email.

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Answered on 1/08/02, 6:19 pm


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