Can my ex-boyfriend take my child from me if he filed custody papers first?
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Can my ex-boyfriend take my child from me if he filed custody papers first?
I am a mother who moved out of state with my child due to an abusive relationship I had with him. We were not married and no one has legal custody over the child. The father just filed for custody. Will he be able to get the child from me since he filed first during the child custody case? I have file a PFA (protection from abuse) in the state I am now living with my child. He is not allowed around me or the child for a year.
Asked on August 28, 2012 under Family Law, Kansas
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Just because he has filed first in his state doesn't not mean that he will get custody. The standard for who gets custody is always what is in the best interest of the child. However, if you are served and do not respond to the lawsuit, then a default judgment could be entered against you... so make sure that if you are served, you file at least a basic answer. It sounds like you already have some preliminary orders in place regarding your child and visitation. With that in mind, you may contact a family law attorney or family law non-profit legal services organization about filing an answer for you and getting the case transferred to where you are at on the basis of where the child resides and the fact that orders are already in place regarding access to the child.
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