Open me. I have questions inside. -custody and stuff-

So here's a bit of background information.

BD and I broke up on good terms. We agreed that he could come see B whenever he could/wanted and she could stay at his house with him and his family. Things were fine for a little while and he slowly stopped coming around as often. Eventually he stopped going home (he lived at his parent's house) and his mom would ask me about him, but I would very rarely hear from him. He assured us he still had a job but just didn't want to be home. He recently threatened to take B from me, so I have looked into getting a custody order but haven't gotten farther than researching.

Last weekend his mother kicked him out because she found drug paraphernalia in his bedroom while she was looking for towels. He told me he got kicked out but wouldn't tell me why. His mother came by today to visit with B and she told me the reasons why she kicked him out, the drugs and a few other little things.


I need some advice. He's homeless and on drugs. He has given me empty threats before, but it still scares me. I would like, for my own reassurance, to legally have both physical and legal custody over B. I'm open to having joint custody, I have no desire to keep her from her father. Obviously I'd like him to pay child support as well.

I haven't filed for anything because of all the fees and forms. Honestly, I'm pretty overwhelmed by it all and don't have the money to do it. And, I don't know exactly what to do. I thought it was as easy as going to the courthouse, filing out some forms and waiting for him to be served. But I've been told differently. I really don't have time or money to waste, I'd just like this to be over with.

What am I supposed to do?  

Call your state bar association office and ask for lawyers in your area taking pro bono cases. Look up the legal aid office if you can't find one. If he is homeless and on drugs do not let him take her for visits. It is not safe for her. If he is legitimately homeless I doubt you'll be getting child support from him even with an order.

You can get the fees waived if you are low income. Speak with your local courthouse for the application.

Quoting kate & tilly:" Call your state bar association office and ask for lawyers in your area taking pro bono cases. Look up ... [snip!] ... It is not safe for her. If he is legitimately homeless I doubt you'll be getting child support from him even with an order."

Oh no, I'd never allow him to take her. He has a job though. He sleeps on a friend's couch, in his car, at a motel, etc. And he, up until last month, was giving me money for her but it wasn't court ordered
I'll look for some pro bono case lawyers. Thank you, I haven't been advised to do that yet.

Quoting Missie93:" You can get the fees waived if you are low income. Speak with your local courthouse for the application."

Thank you