obtaining custody

[c_ward84]

Hi, I was wondering, I have a daughter who is 10 months old, and her father has not seen her since she was 1 1/2 months old. I have tried many times to contact him through his family, but he will not respond to me,and I would like to obtain sole custody and guardianship of my daughter. We live in British Columbia if that makes a difference. My questions are these, would it be easier for me to obtain custody and guardianship if I cannot contact him? Or is it to my benifit to continue trying to find him(unsure if I can at all). Also, how long would it typically take for all this to happen if I could not find him VS. being able to find him? And what is the most cost saving way and fastest way to go about everything as I am a single mother and have limited funds, and as far as I can tell I do not qulify for legal aid,and I also would like to move with my daughter out of country and cannot do so until all this is taken care of. Any advice would be great! Thank you!

[Gbyte]

Children Born Outside Marriage
See if this helps answer some of your questions

Family Law in British Columbia: Custody & access
This too...

Thanks, it did help a little bit. But I am still left asking basically the same questions even after that I guess.

[c_ward84]

opps..forgot to log in, but that message was from me!

[Gbyte]

Well it's a tough situation. If you've never lived with the father - according to those web pages - you are sole now.

Family Law in British Columbia: Getting an initial family order — if you cannot agree

Here's a link from one of the web pages I posted with information that may be more helpful. You may be able to do it on your own, without an attorney...I don't know. Not too familiar with BC custody issues.

[Gbyte]

There is also a low cost ask a lawyer link on this sites home page. I think it's $10.00.

These sites have definitley helped me, but it only talks about in situations where you have someone to serve...I do not. I don't know where he is or how to get in touch with him. He changed his number and moved and left us with no contact information. While mine has not changed..and that made it very clear to me that he does not want to be involved with our daughter. So I'm not too sure how I would go about that.

Also, my ex and I did live together..but we only lived together until I was 5 months pregnant...and we have not been together since then. I'm not sure if that would be seen as us living together or not?

Thanks for the help so far!

[c_ward84]

Sorry, I keep forgetting to log in before I post!

[Gbyte]

Hmm....

I would pay the $10 if I was you and go to the ask an attorney page.

[c_ward84]

Hi, Thanks for all your advise..you've helped alot! I'm actually going to the court house today to talk to someone and see what they have to say. So thank you!