What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CO
Back in November of '07 I broke up with my girlfriend after 5 1/2 years together. At the time our daughter was 2 1/2 years old. I debated for months about what would be best for our daughter if we stayed together in a loveless relationship that I was sure my all-too-astute child would soon pick up on the tension between us, or to break up with her and maintain a civil relationship apart so that our daughter might know both of her parents in a somewhat more positive light.
After the break up, she moved back in with her parents, since I was the one who was paying for everything so I could afford to keep the townhouse we were renting, and I allowed her to take our daughter with her since her parents don't work and it would ultimately be easier for them to take care of my daughter during the day. After a couple of weeks the grandparents brought up the issue of them adopting my daughter so that she could recieve certain VA health care benefits (grandfather is retired military with 100% disability, which is why neither granparent has to work). I was very hesitant about the idea of signing away all rights to my daughter, thinking that this soon after the break up they might be angry with me and try to keep me from seeing her and there would be nothing I can do about it. They repeatadly assured me that that would never happen, that I would always be the father and be a part of my daughter's life.
After months of my waffling, trying to avoid the issue, because I wasn't comfortable with it, they finally managed to convince me to sign the paper work. My visitations with my daughter continued unchanged, i got her 2 days a week and one day a weekend, since they live very nearby to me it was a pretty good arrangement, I thought. I worked around their schedule and flexed when they needed me to.
Suddenly, 2 weeks ago all communication with them stopped without warning. I tried repeatedly to call them to find out the situation and even stopped over to make sure that everything was okay, given the grandfather's health I thought maybe something tragic had happened. Everyone appeared to be in good health, but I recieved a very frosty reception indeed. After telling my daughter I loved her, and asking if I would still see her the next day, my normal day to have her, I recieved no response, then a non-commital response, and I left. That was the last time I saw her.
That following Tuesday, 2 days after stopping by, on July 8, I recieved a letter hand delivered by a man who identified himself as a private investigator, who flashed a badge but provided no other identification. The contents of the letter stated that I had terminated my rights as the father and had no reason to seek contact with her, nor did anyone in my family. That we were no longer relatives of my daughter, and if I tried to contact her the grandparents would pursue all legal action as was available to them, criminal or civil.
I feel that I was duped into this by them, and that they lied to me during the whole process. I love my daughter more than anything, I'm not a deadbeat dad who ditched her and ran off and decided after 15 years that I want to see her. No, we have, had, a great relationship, I looked forward to my time with her and she with me. I thought I was acting in the best interests of my daughter, when all i was doing was giving these "people" the ammuntion to wound me more than anyone else possibly could.
I've been to the courthouse and gotten the case number and a form to re-open the case, a "motion for good cause" I believe. I'm just worried that I have no chance at re-opening the case and getting my rights back. Even though I can see plainly enough that I was defrauded and willfully mislead by these people, it's a matter of I said they said.
I'm currently in the process of gather whatever documents I can, which is frighteningly little, because most of the communication was verbal, with only their promises to make sure that I could still have time with my daughter.
Does anyone know what my chance are in this?? Good, bad, coin-toss could go either way?
I appreciate anyone who took the time to read my novella and could respond with any helpful advice.
Back in November of '07 I broke up with my girlfriend after 5 1/2 years together. At the time our daughter was 2 1/2 years old. I debated for months about what would be best for our daughter if we stayed together in a loveless relationship that I was sure my all-too-astute child would soon pick up on the tension between us, or to break up with her and maintain a civil relationship apart so that our daughter might know both of her parents in a somewhat more positive light.
After the break up, she moved back in with her parents, since I was the one who was paying for everything so I could afford to keep the townhouse we were renting, and I allowed her to take our daughter with her since her parents don't work and it would ultimately be easier for them to take care of my daughter during the day. After a couple of weeks the grandparents brought up the issue of them adopting my daughter so that she could recieve certain VA health care benefits (grandfather is retired military with 100% disability, which is why neither granparent has to work). I was very hesitant about the idea of signing away all rights to my daughter, thinking that this soon after the break up they might be angry with me and try to keep me from seeing her and there would be nothing I can do about it. They repeatadly assured me that that would never happen, that I would always be the father and be a part of my daughter's life.
After months of my waffling, trying to avoid the issue, because I wasn't comfortable with it, they finally managed to convince me to sign the paper work. My visitations with my daughter continued unchanged, i got her 2 days a week and one day a weekend, since they live very nearby to me it was a pretty good arrangement, I thought. I worked around their schedule and flexed when they needed me to.
Suddenly, 2 weeks ago all communication with them stopped without warning. I tried repeatedly to call them to find out the situation and even stopped over to make sure that everything was okay, given the grandfather's health I thought maybe something tragic had happened. Everyone appeared to be in good health, but I recieved a very frosty reception indeed. After telling my daughter I loved her, and asking if I would still see her the next day, my normal day to have her, I recieved no response, then a non-commital response, and I left. That was the last time I saw her.
That following Tuesday, 2 days after stopping by, on July 8, I recieved a letter hand delivered by a man who identified himself as a private investigator, who flashed a badge but provided no other identification. The contents of the letter stated that I had terminated my rights as the father and had no reason to seek contact with her, nor did anyone in my family. That we were no longer relatives of my daughter, and if I tried to contact her the grandparents would pursue all legal action as was available to them, criminal or civil.
I feel that I was duped into this by them, and that they lied to me during the whole process. I love my daughter more than anything, I'm not a deadbeat dad who ditched her and ran off and decided after 15 years that I want to see her. No, we have, had, a great relationship, I looked forward to my time with her and she with me. I thought I was acting in the best interests of my daughter, when all i was doing was giving these "people" the ammuntion to wound me more than anyone else possibly could.
I've been to the courthouse and gotten the case number and a form to re-open the case, a "motion for good cause" I believe. I'm just worried that I have no chance at re-opening the case and getting my rights back. Even though I can see plainly enough that I was defrauded and willfully mislead by these people, it's a matter of I said they said.
I'm currently in the process of gather whatever documents I can, which is frighteningly little, because most of the communication was verbal, with only their promises to make sure that I could still have time with my daughter.
Does anyone know what my chance are in this?? Good, bad, coin-toss could go either way?
I appreciate anyone who took the time to read my novella and could respond with any helpful advice.
