My daughter's father has not been in contact since 2000. No child support for 6 months this time. It is very intermittent. I am trying to find out if I can file for modification of the child support order. I want to get sole custody of my daughter. He has another child and I have spoken to the mother and she said he'd give up his rights. He has a violent history with her (the other mom) and felony in the past. He is an acoholic and mentally unstable. I have recently married and my daughter has new family overseas. Someday, I'd like to take her to visit. I cannot get a passport because I need the father's signature. I have no idea where he is and don't think he would not sign it anyway. He also has not abided by the court order from 1998 at all. So my questions are:
1) How do I do all this and where do I begin?
2) Do I have to go through the Texas Attorney General?
3) Can I do it on my own?

I do not need his child support financially, my husband takes care of us.

Any ideas/help greatly appreciated.


G

I would not file for sole custody alone, but also for termination of parental rights. If there are police reports to prove his unfitness, there is no relationship with parent and child, father is violent and has a history of violence, and there is never going to be a relationship-- just be done with it. Getting sole custody will not necessarily alleviate the problems, but termination of parental rights would and sounds like he would welcome that in terms of being freed of child support obligation.