Full Custody Legal Steps

Summary

To obtain full custody of your children, gather evidence of neglect and abuse, such as printouts, pictures, and witness statements. Report the situation to child services and the local education authority. Consider filing for an emergency custody order in Florida due to unsafe living conditions. Contact legal aid organizations in Alabama for assistance with filing for custody, as the children currently reside there. Document all instances of neglect and abuse, and reach out to the Alabama Department of Human Resources for further investigation and support.

Full Conversation

Leslie Kaufman
Hello Leslie Kaufman, nice to meet you. Could you please tell me more about the legal issue you're facing?
Attempting to find a probono to get full custody of my children because their father is unable to care for them properly and he's not letting me see or participate in their care.
What state are you currently residing in, Leslie? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
Florida
What evidence do you have to prove that the father is unable to properly care for the children? In Florida, courts consider the best interest of the child when determining custody.
Print outs, pictures, and witnesses
What kind of evidence do the print outs, pictures, and witnesses provide? In Florida, evidence of neglect or abuse can significantly impact custody decisions.
Neglect and mental, physical, and emotional abuse
What steps have you taken so far to report this abuse? In Florida, you can report child abuse to the Department of Children and Families.
I have called the police, child services, and their school,
What was the response from the police, child services, and the school?
They all said it was a civil matter
What was the reason given by the authorities for considering this a civil matter?

In Florida, child custody matters are indeed civil, but neglect and abuse can be criminal.
Since there has never been any custody hearing
What is the current living arrangement of the children and how long has it been this way?
They live with their father in a mobile home which is unsafe and unsanitary in a drug riddled nieghborhood. And the power and water has been off and on, and they are not consistently in school.
Have you considered filing for an emergency custody order given the unsafe living conditions?

In Florida:
- Courts can issue emergency custody orders in cases of immediate danger.
- You may need to provide evidence of the unsafe conditions.
But I'm trying to get custody so we can move to north Alabama with my grandmother
What is the current custody arrangement and have you consulted with a lawyer in Alabama about your situation?

In Alabama:
- The best interest of the child is paramount in custody decisions.
- Evidence of neglect or abuse can impact custody outcomes.
There is no custody arrangement. He's holding them from me not allowing me to see them. And I haven't been able to find one
What steps have you taken to establish a formal custody arrangement in Alabama?

In Alabama:
- You can file for custody in the county where the children currently reside.
- Legal aid organizations may provide free or low-cost assistance.
The children live in Alabama and I live in Florida.
None. I've only contacted child services and they say they can't do anything
Have you considered reaching out to a legal aid organization in Alabama for assistance with filing for custody? They can provide free or low-cost legal help.
Yes I called yesterday. No answer
What time did you call the legal aid organization? They usually have specific operating hours. You might want to try again during their working hours.
*
What is the name of the legal aid organization you contacted in Alabama?
Legal services of South Alabama
What was the response you received from Legal Services of South Alabama?
No answer
What is the best time for you to call Legal Services of South Alabama again?
Today
What time today are you planning to call Legal Services of South Alabama?
*
What is the current status of your children's schooling and their overall well-being?
My youngest son failed his school grade and their well being is dangerous. They are walking the street alone, not bathing, asking neighbors for food
What steps have you taken to document these instances of neglect?
I have pictures and print outs of messages
What do these pictures and printouts of messages show exactly?
They show messages from neighbor and fathers girlfriend, and also their physical photos of them not bathing
What is the age of your children and have they expressed any concerns about their current living conditions to you or anyone else?
They are * and *. They act scared to speak
What actions have the children's school taken regarding their neglect and failing grades?
Nothing that I know of. My son has to retake his grade.
Have you considered reporting the school's lack of action to the local education authority? In Florida, schools are obligated to report suspected child neglect or abuse.
No I haven't
Have you considered reaching out to the Alabama Department of Human Resources? They can investigate child neglect and may be able to assist with your custody case.