As some of you may remember, I have a daughter, whom I have not seen. Unfortunately I have gotten behind in my support obligation, partly my own fault. I have gotten a significant portion of the support payed off, and I am getting ready to contact the state she lives in about possible visitation, cause they have taken sole custody of the case(it used to be in two states) When I brought up my desire to see my daughter when all this started, I basically got one great big fuck you from the state that handle my end. I do not know if the were right or wrong to do that, but it needless to say really pissed me off. What I need though is information on family laws dealing with this. Before I talk to the state, I want to have some information as to what rights I have, and do not have, as my ignorance could possibly cost me more, and prolong the time I have to wait before I can go see my daughter, and I really really really do not want that.

My firstborn (a little girl ) is going to be born in about a month. Being the overtly cautious individual I have a tendency to be, I have looked up quite a bit of this info, even though I'm still in a good relationship with the mother.

So, I will try to help if I can. Need to know the state, though.

Nevada

Hmm...ok, tell you what, I'll talk to my girlfriend when I get home, prolly like a half hour. She has more info on Nevada specifically than me. I'll look up what I can on my end, though, and get back to you.

That works I have about two months before I am even able to go

Ok. Sorry for the delay, I have sick people to deal with. I will get this looked up tomorrow.

In the meantime, try here, it's a start:

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/


Edit:

NRS 125.460 State policy. The Legislature declares that it is the policy of this State:
1. To ensure that minor children have frequent associations and a continuing relationship with both parents after the parents have become separated or have dissolved their marriage; and
2. To encourage such parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 28—(Substituted in revision for NRS 125.132)

This is a good sign.


NRS 125.465 Married parents have joint custody until otherwise ordered by court. If a court has not made a determination regarding the custody of a child and the parents of the child are married to each other, each parent has joint legal custody of the child until otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 1425)


Right here is a big one - Were/are you guys married? Has sole custody been legally ordered for the other parent by the court system? You don't make it sound like it has. And if no legal order has been made, and Nevada is solely handling this case, then you have de-facto partial custody of the child, and a legal right to see her. They can't stop you unless it's been specifically court ordered.


NRS 125.490 Joint custody.
1. There is a presumption, affecting the burden of proof, that joint custody would be in the best interest of a minor child if the parents have agreed to an award of joint custody or so agree in open court at a hearing for the purpose of determining the custody of the minor child or children of the marriage.
2. The court may award joint legal custody without awarding joint physical custody in a case where the parents have agreed to joint legal custody.
3. For assistance in making a determination whether an award of joint custody is appropriate, the court may direct that an investigation be conducted.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 284)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 125.136)

The state assumes that a relationship with both parents is beneficial to the child (right on!) and would essentially prefer that both parents have contact. If you feel you are in a position to do so, an investigation can absolutely be conducted to determine your eligibility. If you are just looking for visitation, and not actual physical partial custody, you really shouldn't have a rough time.

Dude, you have no Idea how much help that is.

Well upon reading the info in that link, there is so far nothing about me being denied visitation for being in arrears, which I unfortunately am, but I have have paid almost half of it off. Maybe a little chat with support and welfare services might help. I knew that they were big on the family dynamic, but not quite like that, not like utah.

I don't know too much about it but I hope you get your visitation rights. Good luck

It didn't know you had a child. Wow- hope all works well Nox.

So do I, but I have one question for you: It?

Alright so I am dredging this old fucker up for an update on the matter.

I got in touch with my daughter's mother finally yesterday. We were actually civil to one another, the first time in 4 years. It was kind of odd. What happened was, now that I have paid so much in my child support, I was taking steps to start court proceedings to get visitation for my daughter, but out of the sheer kindness of my heart, I decided to give her mother one last chance to let me be appart of my daughters life, and not involve the courts. After a brief asschewing from me, we called a truce of sorts, and for the first time ever I was able to get real information from her about my daughter, and I have even been able to see what she looks like. I have not yet come to fully comprehend the full range of emotions I feel from that. She is her father's daughter, from looks down to personality. I feel...... happy, proud, a little scared, and very excited at the current prospects that lie before me in being able to be a part of her life. I cannot say for sure what is going to happen next, but seeings as how this first round was done over a messanger service, I am going to try calling them in the next few days, after I have had another chance to talk to her mother. I don't want to take things this slow, but something makes me think it will turn out for the better if I do.

OH!! this is exciting. I hope everything goes perfect. *claps* hehe!

Well I called her mother today. We talk for about an hour then the battery on her phone died. It was the first time I have gotten to speak to my little girl. Man does she have an exceptionally short attention span. A few hours later I called her back, and got regailed by my daughter concerning Madagascar, fridge magnets, the Incredibles, and her halloween costum. She is such a little jabberjaw. Amonst other things in conversations with her mother, I have noted some concern with her future schooling, mostly in english and history. Her mother is very creative and can help her with many of the creative writing aspects, however I am the one who is good with english in general, spelling, pronounciation, grammar, punctuation, so on, and with history. I hope that I will be able to assist her even if I am not there in person. Her mother and I talked for about 4 hours, it was quite interesting being able to talk to her like that again.