After over three years of not seeing his child, and petitioning the courts, and the courts finding his ex in contempt (3 times), it was suggested at the last hearing to petition the courts in the county where ex fled with the child (without notice to my son, the courts, or CSE) for change of venue. It took me over a week to complete the petition and find all the exhibits in the many reams of paperwork this case has created. They originally lived in Maryland, but she fled to Jefferson County, TN sometime in March 2005, and he just recently moved to VA. The judge was very sympathetic to his cause, but since neither party resides in MD now, she suggested that my son petition the courts in Jeff. County.
I called Jeff. County to get the correct mailing address fto file a petition and after being shuttled around to different offices (clerk, clerk's boss, family law, juvenile court clerk, Child Support Enforcement ?? and some law clerk), they told me an individual could not file a petition themself - only an attorney could! Is this true?
Son has no money to engage an attorney...they're too expensive!
Our only hope is to call the judge in Maryland and ask her to intercede - as she said she would if we encountered any problems.
Her last words to my son were: "Don't give up", and he won't!
Thanks!

get someone else in that office- u do not have to have an atty