Im lost and i dont know what to do

[dudehawk]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington State

Ok, So here it goes. My Now Ex girlfriend and I have 2 kids together and a third on the way. About 2.5 months ago we went down to arizona to visit some friends, At least i thought that was the case. We get down there, and stay for a week or so, and the car was broken into. My Identification was stolen and i ended up having to go back to Washington to get a new ID card and a soacial. THe kids and her stayed in AZ to continue the visit. Upon getting back to Washington i learned that she left our friends house to move in with someone she met online, and would be living there permenantly. Ive been talking to her off and on, and learned that she intends to move with this person to another state. My question is what can i do to Stop that from happening. I am on both of my kids's birth certificates. and some reading ive been doing here leads me to beilive that i can file for custody here in WA and that would force her to bring the kids back here. Is that the case? Can i do something like that? If she leaves with this person i know she will do what she can to hide from me.

 

[Ohiogal]

File immediately in Washington to establish paternity, have the children returned to your home, and establish custody/visitation and support.

 

[dudehawk]

File immediately in Washington to establish paternity, have the children returned to your home, and establish custody/visitation and support.

What do i need to Get to file? And what court should i go to?

 

[mistoffolees]

What do i need to Get to file? And what court should i go to?

You won't like this, but the reality is that if you can't figure out where to even get started by searching here or the Internet, then you shouldn't be attempting this on your own.

Hire an attorney.

 

[dudehawk]

You won't like this, but the reality is that if you can't figure out where to even get started by searching here or the Internet, then you shouldn't be attempting this on your own.

Hire an attorney.

If it comes to that i will. But ive done alot of research and its led me here. I was hoping for some more positive feedback.

 

[CSO286]

If it comes to that i will. But ive done alot of research and its led me here. I was hoping for some more positive feedback.

Then Start here:
Washington State Courts - Court Forms

Look at the forms for unmarried parents to estblish paternity and go from there into child cusotdy and child support.

Contact your local court admin to see if they have a packet of the necessary forms to establish paternity, custody and support (some do).

Read everything. Then do it again.

If you do not understand what those forms are instructing you to do, then you need to aid of a good family law attorney.

 

[dudehawk]

Then Start here:
Washington State Courts - Court Forms

Look at the forms for unmarried parents to estblish paternity and go from there into child cusotdy and child support.

Contact your local court admin to see if they have a packet of the necessary forms to establish paternity, custody and support (some do).

Read everything. Then do it again.

If you do not understand what those forms are instructing you to do, then you need to aid of a good family law attorney.

Thank you for that, The forms i understand, What seems to be the grey area in the people ive talked to is what state will have jurisdiction over the case. And if i get them back into WA will i have the say so if she wants to leave the state again. Thats were im having trouble finding the information. I am going down to a court house today to do what i need to. i just want to be as informed as possible.

 

[mistoffolees]

Thank you for that, The forms i understand, What seems to be the grey area in the people ive talked to is what state will have jurisdiction over the case. And if i get them back into WA will i have the say so if she wants to leave the state again. Thats were im having trouble finding the information. I am going down to a court house today to do what i need to. i just want to be as informed as possible.

Jurisdiction is easy. If it really has been only 2.5 months, then WA still has jurisdiction - but you'll have to hurry.

 

[CSO286]

If she hasn't been gone long enough to establish residency in a new state (usually 6 months), then WA would still retain jurisdiction.
Get thee to a courthouse and file right away!!!

ETA: If she attempts to fight jurisdiction, then you WILL need and attorney.

 

[mistoffolees]

If she hasn't been gone long enough to establish residency in a new state (usually 6 months), then WA would still retain jurisdiction.
Get thee to a courthouse and file right away!!!

ETA: If she attempts to fight jurisdiction, then you WILL need and attorney.

AZ is, indeed, 6 months:
Residency Requirements for Child Custody in Arizona | eHow.com

There are, however, exceptions, so it is important to have an attorney if ex tries to challenge jurisdiction.

In general, though, if OP files in WA quickly, it shouldn't be a big problem.

 

[dudehawk]

Thank you for the advice. And worry not i read about this betty person elsewhere.

 

[dudehawk]

The thing is, Is that we both left the state with the notion of the mom and myself coming back, I had some issues arise that forced me back to this state. And ive people who can support that. Her and myself. were only there for a vacation. That should count for something right?

 

[Antigone*]

The thing is, Is that we both left the state with the notion of the mom and myself coming back, I had some issues arise that forced me back to this state. And ive people who can support that. Her and myself. were only there for a vacation. That should count for something right?

If she filed in Arizona, you'd have to contest jurisdiction to have the case dismissed.

 

[CSO286]

The thing is, Is that we both left the state with the notion of the mom and myself coming back, I had some issues arise that forced me back to this state. And ive people who can support that. Her and myself. were only there for a vacation. That should count for something right?

If your timeline is true (everything happening in the lat 2.5 months), then WA state would still retain jurisdiction.

This is why you need to hurry and file. Otheriwse you risk mom establishing residency in another state, requiring you to file there.

You should get the paperwork together and file for ppaernity, some kind of joint custody arrangement, child support, and an order compelling mom to return child to WA state.

You don't really have time to waste here.....

 

[dudehawk]

If your timeline is true (everything happening in the lat 2.5 months), then WA state would still retain jurisdiction.

This is why you need to hurry and file. Otheriwse you risk mom establishing residency in another state, requiring you to file there.

You should get the paperwork together and file for ppaernity, some kind of joint custody arrangement, child support, and an order compelling mom to return child to WA state.

You don't really have time to waste here.....

Im on the phone currently with a low income type of legal help service. But Going threw some papers, Ive already established paternity when both of the children were born.