How can I get emancipated quickly? I live in Illinois.

Gary and Judy gave you the straight dope. If you need an attorney, you might want to call Alicia Downs in Edwardsville (she works in Belleville,...

Im paying child support for 1 child but also taking care of 5 more. can i have my payments reduced

Generally, you can't get a reduction in support just because you have kids more kids later, after the first child. Why should the first child...

What are my chances to modify joint custody to sole custody after many years?

Conflict over medical treatment and education decisions are about as basic as parenting decisions get. If you can't co-parent on these issues,...

Is an agreement in email enough to protect myself? Court order vague.

Okay, so you have a court order and then you two modified the order without bothering to enter the modification in the court's record. Don't do...

Changing Lawyers / Firing your current lawyer

Your lawyer cannot bad mouth you. Period. Hire a new lawyer. Your new lawyer fires your old lawyer. Your new lawyer handles...

When I only have reasonable visitation set but pay 20% of net income does primary guardian only get to claim child on taxes?

Hire an attorney. Dependency exemptions in cases like yours are usually alternated. One year to him, the next year to you. If it's not in the...

When you "went down," where did you go? Atlanta?

My girlfriend has a one year old who has a diff father and we just had one of our own can I get custody of our child if..

Let me get this straight: You're both unemployed. I can understand her position -- she just had a baby for cryin' out loud. You're the Dad,...

Putative Father Registry

You've got nothing to worry about regarding an adoption. You're identified as the father so if Mom tries to put the baby up for adoption, you'll...

If my ex girlfriend leaves with our child and tries to change the child's last name to hers could she take such action?

She very well may be able to change the child's name. Yes, you have rights of due process. You shouldn't worry so much about a possible...