How can I get custody of my daughter who is an american citizen and living in another country?
My daughter was sent to live with her grandmother in another country without my consent but I understood the mother's situation after the fact. I supported my daughter financially sending money regularly to this other country every month, until I lost my job last year. I was out of work for several months but when I filed my taxes I bought her a few things and sent it off to her. I recently moved to another state and got a job but it is nowhere near what I was making before. My bills had since piled up and I am still in the process of clearing things. I have not been able to send money to my daughter like I had before.
Her mother is refusing to bring her back to the states permanently. She will be visiting this month and I would like to see her but I am getting excuses. Options?
The mother and I are not married and the courts in this country will support whatever the american court decides. I have no court order for support and/or visitation and neither does she. My daughter lived at her house while she was in the US and she had her during the week while I had her on the weekends. I am not interested right now in full custody because I want the mother and I to be able to have joint custody since I feel it is in the best interest of the child. However, if it can't be so then full custody will be an option for me. I have tried to speak to her on the phone but she wont take my calls and refuses to give me her address so I can visit my daughter. She is undocumented but I would really rather not go down that road. She claims she has gotten married and that there is no way I can do anything about the situation since she is more stable. I don't believe she has filed any paperwork I want my daughter in the US. I need help. Are there any lawyers who give free consultations?