how to get a free lawyer for custody matters?
142275
Contact Legal Aid.  They provide free legal services for indigent clients.  You may also try calling the law schools in your state and asking if they have legal clinics that provide free legal assistance.
959713
You absolutely need to speak with a family law attorney. If you can't afford a lawyer, talk to Legal Aid. If you can't find them in the phone book, your state's Bar Association can give you their number.
1114759
MOST STATES HAVE LEGAL AIDE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP.IF THERES LIKELY TO BE A CUSTODY FIGHT I STRONGLY SUGGEST HAVING AN ATTORNEY. ALSO SECURE THE CHILDS RESIDENCE BEFORE HAND.....SUCH AS MAKE CERTAIN THE DADS RESIDENCE IS LISTED ON ALL PAPERWORK,SUCH AS SCHOOL OR DAYCARE RECORDS ETC...HE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO PROVE THE CHILD HAS BEEN IN HIS CUSTODY. DIVORCE CAN BE VERY UGLY,ESPECIALLY WHERE KIDS ARE CONCERNED.I WOULD DEFINATELY SEEK ADVICE FROM THE LOCAL FAMILY COURT OR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE BEFORE TIPPING MY HAND.
231368
They do and if the attorney you are using does not seem to be helping, fire that one and find another. Unfortunately it sounds like you never adopted. However, if you supported the child for seven years, you have a strong case for either reimbursement of expenses, which could be used as a weapon against the father to get her back. I know that sounds crappy but you may have to play dirty to get the best interests of the child met. Check your states judicial website, most states have them, and prepare for a lot of research and find what the laws are in your community. Most of it is pretty cut and dried. You can get visitation rights at the minimum, especially since she spent so much of her life with you. Start making phone calls and pleading your case for advice from folks who deal with thiese issues regularly, social services, free legal services from your county etc. Plan on being creative and doing a lot of soul searching. Best of luck to you and to her.
189098
petition the court for custody.. The office of recover services may be able to help you as well.. You can try legal aid for advise but you can do pretty much anything an attorney can do except charge a rediculas fee..lol
210102
Contact your lawyer and let him do it for you
234377
Get a good custody attorney.  If you can't afford one than what you need to do is inspect your children for signs of abuse every time they come back from their father and photograph any injuries, or take them to a doctor and have the doctor's office do it.  They should photograph any injuries that may be a result of abuse which you can later use in court. If you suspect sexual abuse than this is especially important. \n\nGoing directly through Human services for this is a bad idea.  Social workers have huge caseloads and they are getting very critical of reports of child abuse because 60% of all cases are unfounded.  In addition there have been cases where over zealous social workers take the kids and sort the mess out later which means that your child could end up in foster care until you go to court.
663994
Your best option is to consult with a lawyer, usually the first consultation is free.
396104
It will be easier if you do but if you can't afford one contact the BAR association and ask if they can recommend an attorney who will work pro bono (for free) or at a reduced rate.
788991
Nothing is free, but there has to be some legal aid organizations that help you out for a lower fee.  This might not be the case anymore, but I know for a fact when my biological father was in prison and this was 44 years ago, my mom filed for divorce, and my father refused to sign the paperwork.  Well, the Warden signed the paperwork, seeing that the Warden was in charge of my fathers (all inmates) affairs and responsibilities.  The paperwork was accepted by the courts.  My mom remarried to my current father (step father) who has been there for me throught out my life, and busted his butt to raise me.  I will forever be grateful to my current dad,for raising me and treating me as his own.  But back to you, good luck and check out the legal aid organizations.
962484
I would suggest that you consult with an attorney.\n\nIn almost every state, if there is a CPS proceeding, or child in need of care proceeding, you are eligible for an appointed attorney if you cannot afford one.\n\nI urge you to contact an attorney licensed in your state to assist you.  For a referral if you are not eligible for a free attorney, contact your local or state bar association.  Please... don't try and do it cheaply.  Your kids are worth it aren't they?
63395
I do not think that is possible, there are people who can do the paperwork for you and you do all the filing yourself,then show up for the court date. but this only works if it is uncontested by your spouse and no question of who gets custody of the kids. I got my divorce this way, but it is not free, way cheaper than getting a lawyer tho. If you see advertisements for DIVORCE!! 198.00!! this is one of those people. you just have to look for those advertisements, most of them are not under divorce or attorneys in the yellow pages. good luck.
832941
I'm assuming your question is...how do I go about obtaining this...\n\nFirst of all anyone can file for custody of a child (no matter their relationship to the child) if they believe that it would be in the best interest of the child for them to have custody. However, visitation is a little more tricky.\n\nYour first  step should be to contact the family court in the county where the child has resided for the past six months. Request a UCCJEA (out of state) custody/visitation petition (they are usually exactly the same, you just have to check different boxes). You can then take this to your attorney to complete or you can complete it yourself. They are not difficult to complete. You may be able to obtain the petition forms on-line or ask them to fax or mail them to you. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE OUT OF STATE PETITION! This is needed if any of the parties live in different states. The judge will need to verify jurisdiction.\n\nYou will have to either submit the completed petitions in person or you will have to have them notarized and then sent certified mail to the Family Court in Texas. The court clerk will give you your court date and time where you will plead your case to a judge, proving to him that it will benefit the child for you to have visitation or custody. You will want evidence and witnesses to testify as character witnesses on your behalf.\n\nIf the other party agrees then the process is fairly quick and simple. If they do not agree and  refuse to compromise then expect the process to get sticky. You will want to find a local lawyer or request a court appointed attorney to plead your case. Most likely if the two lawyers can not reach a compromise then the case will go to trial, which can take anywhere from 4 months to a year (or longer). \n\nIf you are requesting only visitation then know that in many states there is no such thing as grandparents rights (research this on-line for your state before trying to plead this). You may have to settle for visitation when your daughter has scheduled visitation. If she has no visitation then you can request that you be given her visitation so the child can have a connection to his/her maternal side.\n\nThe best advice any of us can give you is to speak to an attorney with family law experience in the state where the child resides. That would be Texas if the child has been there longer then 6 months or their previous state if they have not.\n\nBest of luck.\n\nAlso note: on the petition you are the petitioner and the respondents are both paternal grandparents, the bio dad, and the bio mom (unless either parent has given up their rights) and if child services is involved you will also have to list them as respondents. You need to file against all of them (not just the paternal grandparents) to make your petition valid.
333543
call the courthouse in your area.\nlaws differ from state to state.\nyour son might GIVE you custody if you ask.
275258
You can probably find an estate planning lawyer who will give a free 30-minute consultation.  I know you only want a will to name a guardian for your children, but a qualified lawyer can discuss other things with you like a durable power of attorney for health care.  Remember Terri Schiavo?  Laws like to address those issues at the same time.\n\nFor a quality will, you might pay up to $300.  You might pay more and you might pay less, so shop around just like you would for any other service.  Ask friends for recommendations or call the lawyer referral service of your local county bar association.
88342
Yes, you have to get a lawyer.  The fact that you don't feel safe around him or feel your child is safe hints at a serious issue.  The main reason for a lawyer though is to ensure that your kid is taken care of.  There is no way that you can do that on your own without help.
268037
Check the papers he handed you.  There should be a court name on the top (e.g. 2nd division of the x county of y state).  Call that county courthouse clerk's office and ask them if they have a copy of whatever divorce document was handed to your mom.\n\nI'm a bit surprised that no lawyer would give you a free consultation.  Keep checking the phone book - maybe you can get a free legal opinion from an attorney in your state (that would be the best answer).