Do I need an attorney and can my ex get custody get full custody of my son?

[Cheekahscool]

Im going through a custody battle with my ex...the judge gave us joint custody and ordered my ex to pay child support...We were told to come up with our own arrangment or we will go to mediation...me and my ex have not came up with an agreement and was ordered to mediation but are mediation is being reschduled because i wasnt able to supply some kind of income....in the beginning of my case was working and had my own place now i am unemployed and staying with a friend and my ex has threatened me that he is going to get custody of our son....can he get custody? What can i do to make sure he does not get custody? My ex has not paid child support and i have had to call the cops to try n get my child back because he has refused to let me see him. What Should i do??

[sunlover]

Your staying with a friend rather than your own place could be used to convince Judge a change of custody is required

Actually, it is more your inability to financially support yourself and your child that a judge will take into consideration. Your ex does stand a good chance of obtaining primary custody if he has the more stable living environment, and is better equipped, financially, to raise the child.

It's always a mystery why both parents aren't ordered to pay child support when joint custody is awarded.