I have never been married to my Daughters mother, Our child is 12months old now and we have no custody agreement through the courts. I would like to start custody and visitation arrangements along with child support, I get my daughter every once in a while, but not as much as I like. I am moving to Las Vegas Nv area soon and would like to start my custody paper work as soon as I get there, being that I would be the petitioner on the paper work what are my rights as a father wanting joint custody across state lines with my daughter in Louisiana?

Thank Mr. W MacNeil

I believe you need to file your paperwork where the child resides. So you should get this all straight BEFORE you move.

You can't file for custody in Nevada. As long as the mom and child remain in Louisiana you have to do it there. It doesn't matter where you move to. In fact, this is such a strict rule that you and the mom could not even agree to allow Nevada to make custody orders if you wanted to!

So, file for custody and support (if you want an order that you pay support) and ask for as much time as you want. With the distance between you and the child you are not likely to end up with a 50-50 timeshare and will likely have blocks of summer time and split holidays. Does this answer your question?

I have never been married to my Daughters mother, Our child is 12months old now and we have no custody agreement through the courts. I would like to start custody and visitation arrangements along with child support, I get my daughter every once in a while, but not as much as I like. I am moving to Las Vegas Nv area soon and would like to start my custody paper work as soon as I get there, being that I would be the petitioner on the paper work what are my rights as a father wanting joint custody across state lines with my daughter in Louisiana ??

Thank Mr. W MacNeil

Where were you going to file ? You won't be able to file anything " when you get there " as far as Las Vegas NV. You need to file where your at now so long as it's the same area the child resides in.. County City etc. You also are going to need a good plan to get things done.

You can't file for custody in Nevada. As long as the mom and child remain in Louisiana you have to do it there. It doesn't matter where you move to. In fact, this is such a strict rule that you and the mom could not even agree to allow Nevada to make custody orders if you wanted to!

So, file for custody and support (if you want an order that you pay support) and ask for as much time as you want. With the distance between you and the child you are not likely to end up with a 50-50 timeshare and will likely have blocks of summer time and split holidays. Does this answer your question?


Thank you... So I should file for custody here in Louisiana, not in Nevada... and while she is still a baby and not in school I can ask for 50% like three months with me and three months with the mom, split holidays?

Yes, while she is not in school, you should be able to get split time. But once she's in school, that will need to be modified.

Yes, while she is not in school, you should be able to get split time. But once she's in school, that will need to be modified.

Oh OK thanks, so when she turns 5 it will be more summer and vacation time only..

You need to file where the child resides. And take it from somebody who is dealing with Louisianna lawyers as we speak, be prepared for it to take LOTS of time. They don't do anything fast there.

You will need to file where the child lives and that is where you will be going to court, and back to court and back to court when things don't work
* if they dont'**

I doubt living out of state you will get joint physcial custody, but you can try, it is hard in GA to get joint custody if you don't live in the same city.