I'm not the blood father of my daughter, but I've brought her up, since she was 3months old..

The 'father' of my daughter doesn't have anything to do with her..

A few weeks ago, my girlfriend and I's relationship broke up..

She is with someone else now, who is nothing but trouble..

He's been in prison twice, takes drugs..

I'm scared that my daughter will find a pill or a needle and do something stupid, she's 2 1/2 years old..

And wants her mum and dad together, but that's not going to happen anymore, but I want to go for custody of her..

What rights do I have?

Do I have any grounds to do so..

Does it matter that I'm not the biological father?

Help please

You need to hire and attorney. It's a longshot, but the fact that the little girl has known you as daddy for almost all her life gives you a chance at custody. That you aren't the biological father will work against you, but not too much if he has nothing to do with the child.

If you can show the home situation is detrimental to the girl, you stand a chance.

Good Luck.

If you have some kind of legal agreement in place, if you adopted her or have parental responsibility, you may have a chance, if not, chances are pretty slim. You may be awarded access to her, but actual custody is unlikely, unless her mother was deemed unfit and you offered to have her. But even then it would probably only be short term (instead of fostering) I have known so many men be in the same position as you, and it is horrible, but I haven't met one who is actually allowed to raise the child themselves. I hope you are that one. Good luck.

Thanks for your help..

I'm working on getting something in writing, that she is my daughter..

I'm also looking into getting her adopted..

Once again thanks..

I agree with scottgem. You need to get an attorney and see where you stand. You may not be the biological father but the psychological father, that is she knows you're her daddy. Does get recognised in court. If the welfare of the child is art risk. Once you file with family court. They can send a social worker out to investigate the home and living conditions. That would have a greater impact on custody if you choose to.