V
vaportrail
Guest
I need some advice regarding what my rights are as far as filing for custody of my daughter and if I would be allowed to file for custody never being married. Here’s the situation: My girlfriend and I have never been married and we had a child when we lived together in Ohio (where our baby was born). However, a month ago I moved to my home state of North Carolina to accept a job offer with the intentions of moving my girlfriend, her 6 year old son from a previous marriage, and the baby down here to NC once I got settled. Well, now I’ve decided not to continue my relationship with my girlfriend. My question is.....what legal right do I have to my daughter (who is now 8 months old) whom I haven’t seen in a month and is still living with my girlfriend in Ohio? Would I be able to file for custody of her? My girlfriend seems to think she has what’s known as “legal guardianship” and I would never be able to have custody of her nor would I have any visitation rights living so far away. The reason I’m asking is because I know my 8-month old daughter would have a better living with me here in NC and can grow up in a much better environment. I have an excellent job here in NC, make very good money, work hard, and love and support my daughter to the max. In the meantime, all my girlfriend is doing is living off of Welfare and doesn’t ever intend to get a job. Her 6 year old son is also developmentally disabled and has hurt my daughter a few times since I moved away. My girlfriend has told me several times since I moved away that she has had difficulty taking care of both kids at the same time and I have even been on the phone with her several times while she’s been upstairs and has left the baby alone downstairs while the baby is crying. What do the courts take into consideration for situations like this? How would all of this come into play for seeking custody of my daughter and would I be allowed to use any e-mails or recorded phone calls that I’ve saved against her in court? Also, would I be able to file here in North Carolina or would I have to file in Ohio? And if I don’t get custody of my daughter, what types of visitation do the courts allow for being this far away and not being married? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.