[littledixiekitten]

Hello my name is Michelle and I have a daughter, Delilah, who just turned 8 months. I am not married. Delilah's dad wants to do joint custody, which is fine by me. He's in the military and currently stationed in Kuwait, where he will be until October. I was wondering if there was an easy way to file the paperwork for joint custody. I was reading about parenting plans, but I wasn't sure. He'll need some kind of paperwork that says he has joint custody so the military knows. Any suggestions? All we want to do is get a paper that says we both agree to joint custody....
THANKS!!!
Michelle

[MissyChrissy]

Do you have a lawyer? You should call the family court and ask them if there's special paperwork you need to file...or maybe he has to do it through the military(?).

I really can't help I guess. But someone should be along shortly with some better suggestions.

[littledixiekitten]

no, I don't have a lawyer, I figured I didn't need one since we both agree to everything

[MissyChrissy]

You may want one that can help you with the paperwork.

[mcmama]

You may want a lawyer to look things over to make sure that this is going to be in your interest. You never know what might happen in the future if he changes his mind about things.

Joint legal custody does not change child support obligations for the parent who does not live with the child - they're still obligated to support. He probably wants to get the right papers filed with the military so that you can start to receive support. Will you be living together when he returns, or will you want joint residential custody with the child living in two houses? The way I have it, my ex and I have joint legal custody - for major decisions - and I have sole residential custody, for them to live with me. But they see my ex whenever they want.

A lawyer or a certified mediator can help you make sure that what you want to do is filed correctly. Sounds like you both are in agreement, which is great - but it can still be complicated.