OK where do i start, i have a 9 y/o son and he is with his mother in FLA., she had kept him away form me until just last year and he lived with me for one year and went back after school let out here in LA. The family has been unstable for a while and no one really tends to all his needs (ADHD,Dyslexia)and she recentally got into a lot of trouble with the law, not sure what all happened (drugs) and now she wants me to pay for her lawyer ($8,000.) but she has given me no info. on case or what is in store for my son's future.So now i have had enough, i do not see that the quality of care or family will return and now i want to file for full custody of my son. She filed in LA. and now lives ib FLA. I'm still here and need help in what actions i take next, can i do it myself or do i need a lawyer, will this be easy due to her trouble ? I have a solid job,place to live,great refrences. if anyone can point me in the right direction hat would be great, i has taken a lot out of me over the past few weeks and it took everything i have to actually go on a fourm and ask for help,so thank you now for any help and your time. may not be able to get right back to anyone trying to get every bit of paper work i can together. AL

Al,
The best thing you can do is take a stand in your families life. If that involves your ex or not, it certainly involves your child. The process you are about to undertake will be life changing but believe me, for the better. There is nothing I would not give just to know my child will be given everything she needs, and more importantly she will be safe in my home. You have taken the first and hardest step and that is to help your child and their future! If you need to talk, send me a line. I have never had to seek custody, luckily, but all single parents have one thing in common. We have had a run in or two (or more ) with the other parent because of the way they are treating/raising the child/ren etc....
Meg

HI AL, I ALSO HAVE A 9YR. SON WITH ADHD AND KNOW HOW IT IS. AND HOW MUCH A PARENT CAN WORRY ABOUT THEM. TO GET STARTED YOU NEED TO GO TO A LAWYER AND SEE WHAT YOU NEED TO DO SOME HAVE A FREE CONSOLITATION, THERE ARE ALSO FREE CLINICS HELD BY THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM HERE IN CALIFORNIA. JUST CALL THEM AND THEY SHOULD POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND FIND OUT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THE COURT THING WITH YOUR EX. IT MAY HELP IN THE LONG RUN. BEEN THERE DONE THAT. IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO WHOSES HAD TO FIGHT BEFORE JUST DROP ME AN E-MAIL.AND GOOD LUCK. TAKE A DEEP BREATH.EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT.OH, AND DON'T FORGET THE BREATHING THING!! KEEP SMILING