Missouri Paternity/Custody Questions

[mmdawson1]

I live in Colorado, my daughter lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
There is no custody order. I am not even on the birth certificate. Basically, we were young, and she tried to cheat the system to give her more welfare by leaving me off the birth certificate. Biggest mistake of my life.
I have DNA tests to prove she is mine, have paid child support since day one, always make visits (monthly) and have her fly out (Summers, fall, winter, and spring breaks at least)- but there is nothing legally speaking about it.
The deal is, she has called me at least twice in the last week to say her mother and step father have been physically abusive to each other in front of her. Her mother has a black eye, step father was bleeding from his head. Her mother has become increasingly erratic and sounds like she has a drinking problem. On top of that, there may be other forms of abuse committed by her step father towards her, but she is unwilling to talk about it for fear that she will get in trouble or that the other kids will be taken away and their family will be destroyed.
I know my first step is to be recognized legally as her father. Is it even possible after this many years to do so in Missouri? I have always paid child support and more. I always visit her, etc.
I am curious as to whether it is feasible?

 

[Hisbabygirl77]

I live in Colorado, my daughter lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
There is no custody order. I am not even on the birth certificate. Basically, we were young, and she tried to cheat the system to give her more welfare by leaving me off the birth certificate. Biggest mistake of my life.
I have DNA tests to prove she is mine, have paid child support since day one, always make visits (monthly) and have her fly out (Summers, fall, winter, and spring breaks at least)- but there is nothing legally speaking about it.
The deal is, she has called me at least twice in the last week to say her mother and step father have been physically abusive to each other in front of her. Her mother has a black eye, step father was bleeding from his head. Her mother has become increasingly erratic and sounds like she has a drinking problem. On top of that, there may be other forms of abuse committed by her step father towards her, but she is unwilling to talk about it for fear that she will get in trouble or that the other kids will be taken away and their family will be destroyed.
I know my first step is to be recognized legally as her father. Is it even possible after this many years to do so in Missouri? I have always paid child support and more. I always visit her, etc.
I am curious as to whether it is feasible?

Was the child support court ordered?

 

[mmdawson1]

Was the child support court ordered?
No, I have just paid it.
Basically, everything has been done outside of courts. Visitation, child support, everything. I have records of most of it and am really looking out for the welfare of my daughter- not myself. She is in a bad situation and I am really just trying to get the ball rolling to determine my options at this point. If it is bad enough to go to social services, etc., well I will ruin whatever agreements we have in place (non binding).
I want what is best for her, and if continuing staying with her mother is what is determined to be best for her, great. If I can provide a better, safer environment for her, I am absolutely ready to take that, head on.

 

[Proserpina]

Was the child support court ordered?
No, I have just paid it.

How old is this child?

Is there ANY legal father?

 

[Isis1]

Was the child support court ordered?
No, I have just paid it.

then you will need to legally establish paternity first and foremost.

then along with that, you need to file for visitation/custody/support.

anything you give outside a court order is a gift.

 

[Proserpina]

And have you called CPS to report the abuse?

 

[mmdawson1]

How old is this child?

Is there ANY legal father?

She is 13, there is no legal father.

 

[mmdawson1]

then you will need to legally establish paternity first and foremost.

then along with that, you need to file for visitation/custody/support.

anything you give outside a court order is a gift.

Exactly my point. My question is to whether or not it is still possible for me to establish paternity in the state of missouri. The rest, I will deal with accordingly.

 

[Proserpina]

Exactly my point. My question is to whether or not it is still possible for me to establish paternity in the state of missouri. The rest, I will deal with accordingly.

Then yes, it's possible.

And ditto Isis's post.

 

[Isis1]

Exactly my point. My question is to whether or not it is still possible for me to establish paternity in the state of missouri. The rest, I will deal with accordingly.

absolutely.

 

[mmdawson1]

And have you called CPS to report the abuse?

Not yet, because I am still trying to distill exactly what is actually happening. There have been allusions to abuse but no firm statements. I am also dealing with a 13 year old, and I am not entirely sure what has actually happened.

 

[mmdawson1]

I was talking to a lawyer from Indiana and he mentioned that some states do not allow you to go after parental rights after a certain time frame, hence my question.

 

[Isis1]

Not yet, because I am still trying to distill exactly what is actually happening. There have been allusions to abuse but no firm statements. I am also dealing with a 13 year old, and I am not entirely sure what has actually happened.

dude. if you suspect ANY abuse. you report it. let the officials make the determination if there is actual abuse. don't sit on it. there is a CHILD in possible harm.

 

[mmdawson1]

dude. if you suspect ANY abuse. you report it. let the officials make the determination if there is actual abuse. don't sit on it. there is a CHILD in possible harm.

Fair enough. I will take the appropriate actions immediately. As a side note, I was made aware of this this morning so I have not been sitting on it for long.

 

[Proserpina]

I was talking to a lawyer from Indiana and he mentioned that some states do not allow you to go after parental rights after a certain time frame, hence my question.

Why would be talking to an attorney in Indiana?

Missouri law allows either parent to file to establish paternity, up until the child is 18. The child actually has standing himself until he's 21.