Want to sue for child custody

[kat30s]

I live in California. Due to some mistakes in my far past, I gave up custody of my now 13 year old daughter years ago. She and I desperatly want to be together. She however lives in Massachusetts. She is with her dad who a year and a half ago was found to be in neglect with her and another sibleing. They had temporary custody orders, which I don't know if are still in effect. First - can I sue for custody from California? or do I have to go to Massachusetts where the original case file is, and the original jurisdiction? How can I find out whether or not he still has custody? His Mom had temporary, and never took the kids - she only said she would to keep them out of foster care......

Thanks in advance

Kat

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

You must file any action you deem appropriate in Massachusettes because that's the State with judisdiction. You need to file against the person or persons who have current custody orders for your daughter.

IAAL

 

[kat30s]

Can I file from California? or do I have to go to Massagchusetts? Would I have to appear in a Massachusetts court? I don't have the funds to support a lengthy (which it would be) battle. Also, I still need to know how I would be able to find out if it is my daughter's father who has custody, or his mother???

 

[HappySingleMom]

Hon, get a lawyer and let him take care of everything. He can find out who has custody and probably file a petition for custody from his office in California. You will probably have to appear in a Mass court though. Good luck!