Originally Posted by
lost daddy
First off thank you for your replys.....she is 4 years old,the mother was a fling and i soon moved out of state,there were no attempts to get a hold of me untill grand parrents started receving cash from the state...my home situation is good.. i am married and a proud father of two ..now three..and yes i am ready for full costody...
Yep that's often the way it happens. The state doesn't want to pay for supporting a child when there is a father who they can tap for it. Also the child's is at a good age (not too young, not too old) for the court to consider a change of custody.
Frankly, I would go for full custody. Your explanation is that you were unaware of the child uintil recently and now that you are you and your family are ready to embrace her. The worst that can happen (from your standpoint), in my opinion, is that she will remain in the grandparent's custody, but you will get extensive visitation.
I would also make it clear to the court that you will allow the grandparents more than reasonable visitation is they award you custody. Tell the court you don't want to shut out the grandparents, but, if you knew about the child earlier you would have stepped in.