Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

What rights do I have?

I moved to Texas from California. I have four childern. I am legally married to their father. But we had not been living together for years off and on. In fact we left eachother a few months after we married. He was abusive and cheating before and after we married with the same woman. Now after eight years he wants a relationship with them. When I left I just had given birth to my youngest. So he has never even seen him. My son is eight. I don't recieve any kind of support from him. And he has always known my address. I have never moved. The children have not had any contact with him all these years. He left us homeless we had no place to go so my grandma drove from Texas to California to pick us up. So that we would move in with her. Now he contacts me saying I abandoned him and that he wants parental relationship with my childern. He has a criminal record and has three other children that he never wanted rights to. Even when they got taken away from their mother and went into the system. What can I do I don't want my childern around him he is bad news?


Asked on 4/22/09, 4:26 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: What rights do I have?

See a lawyer in CA to file a lawsuit to protect the children. In TX we call it a Suit Affecting Parent Child Relationship. The CA lawyer should be able to translate that. After that, see if he wants to contest these issues in Court bad enough to pursue his right to see the children. If you want what you're asking for, you're going to have to take care of this. Nobody is going to do it for you. Good Luck.

Read more
Answered on 4/22/09, 5:29 pm
Patricia F. Bushman BUSHMAN LAW OFFICES

Re: What rights do I have?

If I read this right you've been in Texas for years. If he hasn't already filed something in California, get a good Texas family law attorney and file a divorce or a SAPCR here, NOW! Make him come to you. If he's already filed in California, get a good family law attorney there and fight jurisdiction. If the children haven't been in California for 8 years, California should not have jurisdiction.

Why didn't you go after him for child support before this???

Read more
Answered on 4/22/09, 5:48 pm
Edgardo Baez The Baez Law Firm, P.C.

Re: What rights do I have?

You should file a restraining order

Read more
Answered on 4/27/09, 2:49 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Texas