Do I need to modify my current custody agreement, if my 15 year old son wants to live with me, his mother, full time?

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Long story short. Have a custody agreement that went through the court system from 2003(?) with my son's father, whom I was never married to. Over the years we have made changes to this agreement between ourselves, writing it out and signing the copies. We have gotten more lenient about what is written down, again choosing to work things out ourselves. As of the beginning of the school year, our son was kicked out/wanted to move out of his father's house and in to mine full time. Now there is an issue with changing our prior agreement, which was 50/50 legal and physical custody. My son wants to live with me. I want to be able to claim him on my taxes. Don't know what to do about health insurance, currently on his fathers. We were supposed to be paying half on all necessities, do I keep him to that? Or try to get child support? Will that force visitation? I don't have money for a lawyer, which was the case the first time. I don't know what my options are. Would appreciate any advice.

Attorney Answers

2
Tricia Dwyer ·
Hello. I hope things go well for your son - IMO, as a parent, it is so hard to be a boy (kid) growing up! As to your post otherwise, first, parents' time with their kids is their parenting time, - 'visiting' is for others like the grandparents. The terminology is important. I do not know your finances of course but with no question I urge you to have attorney assistance at this time. If you were to approach me for instance I imagine I would want to talk with you for perhaps one and one half hours. If you are indigent or otherwise very low income perhaps you would want to check out some resource such as having a short sit down with an atty at the family law courthouse during the times for volunteer att'ys to be present. If you have some but limited finances I urge you to consider turning to one of the few of us who assist people with limited attorney help (the legal jargon is limited scope or unbundled attorney assistance). I myself actually prefer to help my clients this way, working with my client and having that aim of not wasting people's hard earned money. In my own professional life I aim to do a good deal of 'free' attorney work but have a rule that I do so now only through one particular charity to which I've given time for many years. Again I very much hope your son gets back into some school and is studying once again - education is so very important, in unending ways. TRICIA DWYER ESQ
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Ryan Saltz 4729879.Html ·
First try to work it out with the father as you have done in the past. You also should consult an attorney. If you have limited finances try contacting your local Legal Aid. If you don't qualify for Legal Aid they may at least have some resources for you.
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