I moved from Ohio, where my child’s father lives, to Virginia to stay with my mom. I grew up here, and the environment is much better than what my child would experience with the father’s family, who has questionable morals (like drugs and parties, though I couldn’t prove that in court). We currently have joint custody, but I have residential custody for school. We were never married, and I couldn’t afford to keep fighting for full custody at the time, but I’m almost certain they will try to take me back to court to get 100% custody of my child.
I’m in nursing school now, living in a great school district, but still staying with my mom. I want to get married, have a stable family, and maybe more kids. Will this help my case if we end up back in court? I want to do everything I can to provide the best life for my daughter and show her what a healthy home looks like.
Peyton said:
Is there anything in your custody agreement that restricts you from moving? If it’s already settled in court, what’s changed?
No, the custody agreement didn’t stop me from moving. But I overheard his grandmother saying they plan to take me back to court and use someone else’s address to try and get residential custody next time. They want her to live with them full-time, which would force me to move back to Ohio. I’m hoping the judge won’t entertain this since we’ve already settled. I just wonder if getting married and setting down roots here in Virginia will strengthen my position. Not that I’m rushing, but I know it’s what I want long-term. I’d appreciate any advice from others who’ve been in a similar situation.
@Shan
For them to make any changes, they’ll have to show that something significant has changed. Simply wanting full custody isn’t enough to sway the court. I went through interstate custody for 14 years, and just “wanting it” doesn’t hold much weight.