What is the name of your state? Texas (Collin County if that matters).
I am a father who is not married to the mother of my 14 month old daughter. Both the mother and I signed an AOP and birth certificate in the hospital.
Both the mother and my daughter lived in my home until the mother and I ended the relationship a few days ago. We'd agreed verbally to co-parent and were supposed to complete the necessary SAPCR agreement together. Unfortunately, once she moved the last of her possessions from the home she hasn't taken or returned any of my phone calls.
I know the best answer to all of this is to get a lawyer. I've been told that when I called the police to inform them that my daughter was taken from our home, and by the court clerk when I went in yesterday to inquire about the process of obtaining visitation with my daughter. The challenge is, all of this was unexpected and I can't afford a lawyer at this time. However, I want to begin the process of obtaining visitation so that I can see my daughter as soon as possible.
My questions are:
1. What specific forms, petitions, or requests do I submit to the court in order to establish visitation (my immediate and foremost concern) and co-parenting arrangements going forward?
2. Is there a process to request an emergency or expedited ruling for at least some form of visitation with my child?
I've just stumbled across this forum and read all that I could find on this subject over the past 2 hours. I know we don't have time for sentimentality here, but I really do love my baby and I'm a good, hands-on dad. My daughter and I are very close. I honestly had no idea that dad's such as myself had no pre-existing rights to visitation because the mother and I weren't married. I've read a few men being called idiots, foolish and the like for winding up in situations such as mine, but honestly the baby was a surprise and I've been so focused on providing for, and nurturing my beautiful little one that I didn't think to read up on the law. I had no idea that such a vast separation between the way the law views mothers and fathers existed. (I apologize for my unnecessary 2-cent context, but I just needed to add it.)
I appreciate any help. Thank you for your time.
I am a father who is not married to the mother of my 14 month old daughter. Both the mother and I signed an AOP and birth certificate in the hospital.
Both the mother and my daughter lived in my home until the mother and I ended the relationship a few days ago. We'd agreed verbally to co-parent and were supposed to complete the necessary SAPCR agreement together. Unfortunately, once she moved the last of her possessions from the home she hasn't taken or returned any of my phone calls.
I know the best answer to all of this is to get a lawyer. I've been told that when I called the police to inform them that my daughter was taken from our home, and by the court clerk when I went in yesterday to inquire about the process of obtaining visitation with my daughter. The challenge is, all of this was unexpected and I can't afford a lawyer at this time. However, I want to begin the process of obtaining visitation so that I can see my daughter as soon as possible.
My questions are:
1. What specific forms, petitions, or requests do I submit to the court in order to establish visitation (my immediate and foremost concern) and co-parenting arrangements going forward?
2. Is there a process to request an emergency or expedited ruling for at least some form of visitation with my child?
I've just stumbled across this forum and read all that I could find on this subject over the past 2 hours. I know we don't have time for sentimentality here, but I really do love my baby and I'm a good, hands-on dad. My daughter and I are very close. I honestly had no idea that dad's such as myself had no pre-existing rights to visitation because the mother and I weren't married. I've read a few men being called idiots, foolish and the like for winding up in situations such as mine, but honestly the baby was a surprise and I've been so focused on providing for, and nurturing my beautiful little one that I didn't think to read up on the law. I had no idea that such a vast separation between the way the law views mothers and fathers existed. (I apologize for my unnecessary 2-cent context, but I just needed to add it.)
I appreciate any help. Thank you for your time.
