how to get legal custody of a child without a lawyer

by Werner Mosciski 5 min read

Getting Custody of a Child Without a Lawyer . Contact the court clerk. The very first thing you need to do is contact your local family court and ask the clerk how you can obtain the papers you will need in order to file for child custody without a lawyer. In some states, these forms can be printed right from your computer.

For parents who want to file for child custody but who cannot afford a lawyer, filing pro se is a viable alternative.
...
File a Petition for Custody
  1. Proof of paternity or legal parentage7.
  2. Child's birth certificate.
  3. Any existing orders related to the child.
Jul 10, 2018

Full Answer

How do I file for child custody without a lawyer?

In order to request a hearing for custody, you must first open a family law case with the 2.Fill out the required court forms. If you have decided that opening a family law case is right for you, you will have to retrieve the required court forms 3.Review your forms.

Do I need a lawyer to get a custody agreement?

You can do this without a lawyer, but you'll need to present this agreement to the local court for a judge's approval. If you try to skip the court altogether, you put yourself at risk. More often than you'd imagine, the parent giving up custody will have a change of heart after a while and then denies there ever was any agreement.

Can I give custody of my child to a family member?

Another way to arrange a child custody agreement outside of court is through direct discussion and communication. Parents are encouraged to work out the matter on their own as much as possible. Thus, if both parties involved are still on speaking terms and it is safe to do so, they should try discussing the issue directly.

Do you have the need to open a family law case?

How to Start a Case with a Petition for Custody 1. Fill out the proper court forms Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children form [ FL-260] Summons (Uniform Parentage—Petition for Custody and Support) form [ FL-210 ], and Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) form [ FL-105/GC-120] 2.

image

How much does it cost to file for custody in KY?

The filing fee for a petition under KRS 311.732 shall be $10.00. (c) Fees required by KRS 453.060 and KRS 27A. 630, a court technology fee of $20.00, and any other required fees (e.g., court facility fee, library fee) shall be paid in addition to the fees required by this rule.

How much does it cost to file for custody in NC?

You'll need to pay the court clerk $150 to open your case. If you can't afford it, submit a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent to ask the court to waive the charges.

What is parental kidnapping in NC?

According to North Carolina law, if a parent violates another parent's custodial or visitation rights by keeping the child away from that parent, it is considered parental kidnapping. This is the result if a parent simply refuses to return the child, and when a parent flees with a child.

What makes a parent unfit in North Carolina?

What exactly is an unfit parent? The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.Jan 1, 2022