How to keep my step daughter here in the state?

Question

My husband and I have had problems with his childs mother, they have joint custody. He is open to always having the kids helps her out when need school supplies etc. He is semi disable so he is home all the time. When ever she wants to drop the child off so she can work or go have a life she can no problem. Her own mom and sister here are tired of her just leaving the kid so she can have fun. But he takes the child and me being the step mom have no problem my child accepts her and loves her like a true sister But now she is talking about going to Arkansas out of state and taking the child. He is upset he is like everything he does for the child and spends time with and now taking her away he is like he has to have some rights he said if she cant handle her he would raise her but she just wants the money the government gives her for the child earned income.

Is there anything he can do??? please help.

Answer 1

He can go to court and contest the move/request full custody, and he should do that.  

By the way, when he goes to court, I would not recommend that he says, "she just wants the money the government gives her for the child earned income".  The court isn't going to buy that.  Assuming you're talking about the Earned Income Tax Credit, it's certainly not high enough to justify retaining custody JUST for that reason.  The focus of the case needs to the fact that her moving the child will interfere with his right to maintain frequent visitation with the child (which likely will have an effect on their relationship, and the younger the child is, the bigger the effect).

If the court does rule in Mom's favor, he needs to be sure to request that Mom be ordered to provide ALL travel/travel expenses for him to maintain visitation.

Answer 2

yes.  He can review his custody agreement.  She may not be allowed to move outside of the state if he doesn't want to lose access of the child or she would have to forfeit custody of the child to him.

If they don't have a formal custody agreement then it's past time for one.  Don't tell me you can't afford a lawyer--you can't afford not to have one if you want to keep the child in state where he can have access to her.

(it's none of her mom's or sister's business if she is dropping the girl with her dad so she can go play.  That's between the two of them and the child *is* his daughter--it's not like she's taking advantage of him as she would be with her mom and sister.  So just ignore them.)

Answer 3

Take it to court and try to get custody of her