Could it really happen?

[concerned1977]

sorry i missed the part about serving in publication. i will look into that. thanks for all of the advise.

 

[concerned1977]

doesn anyone have any idea how much it might cost to have an attorney help me with this?

 

[Hisbabygirl77]

and dad will have to be found and served. as a third party, you REALLY should get an attorney. service by publication is possible, but you need to have it done legally correct.

Agreed. Listen OP do you really wanna live your whole time raising this child with the thought of daddy showing up and demanding his child? While I feel that all children need their fathers I do think that would be devastating to child for that to happen.

 

[concerned1977]

you're right, but i really just don't have the money right now to hire an attorney. do you think an attorney would accept monthly payments?

 

[Hisbabygirl77]

you're right, but i really just don't have the money right now to hire an attorney. do you think an attorney would accept monthly payments?

The only way to find that out would be to call some attorneys in your area and ask.

 

[Proserpina]

you're right, but i really just don't have the money right now to hire an attorney. do you think an attorney would accept monthly payments?

And try local Legal Aid programs - though I think this is a little out of the usual realm you might get lucky

 

[Isis1]

oh good grief, before i forget, OP. in case you catch this.

keep in mind, you may be granted custody, but dad would still have rights until an adoption took place. say he came back, he could file for custody and/or visitation. now, he wouldn't be granted custody AFTER you were granted visitation (barring a change on circumstance), but he could have visitation. make sure it's graduated visitation, in that case. if dad still doesn't come out of the woodwork, then adoption may be viable.

 

[Ohiogal]

I think sis nominated OP as guardian in sis's will...Dad hasn't been found/couldn't be found.

I think....

Doesn't matter. The COURT still would have had to award guardianship and custody.

 

[Ohiogal]

what would we have to do now (before he shows up)? what kind of paperwork do I need to file with the courts? do we need to file for "custody"?

We are her legal guardians (my husband and I) i thought that automatically meant we have custody.

What court made you the legal guardians?

 

[Ohiogal]

She is the legal guardian. Listen OP you really need to go to court and file for custody. The father could come back at any point and take the child.

Really? HOW did OP become the legal guardian?