I have been an absent dad I have always paid child support but have not seen my child.she was being raised by her grandmother in what I thought to be a better home then I could provide.I recently found out she was left with a neighbor and the grandmother told the neighbor she can no longer provide for her. The child is 12 and filed petition to have neighbor get guardianship. I am no longer the young kid I was when grandmother took her. I have a wife and three other children. I can provide a loving home I am just wandering if I have any legal rights?

Hello dad:

Sure you do. But, for what? You want her now? If I was her, I'd choose the neighbor.

excon

Go to Family Services and talk to them. You can file for Custody. But you have some fence mending to do.

You have rights as the father, but 12 years is a long time to explain to a child, and will be a biggr hurdle than a court battle.

My parents divorce when I was 4. I did not see him again until I was 24. Now we talk to each other every other day. I wish my father could have looked for me when I was 12. Your daughter will be happy to have her father. It may take time but it will be OK. Go for it!

One more thing... my dad never paid child support.