please help ASAP

[JEcho]

I live in Plano, Texas and the father of my child has filed papers for the visitation rights to our daughter. I am going to have to move out of Plano and back to Lubbock (and move in with my mom) because I am unemployed and have no income coming in. He and his lawyers are trying to scare me into thinking that I HAVE to stay in Plano and when we go to court this is what they're fighting for. I cannot afford an attorney and just want to know my rights. Surely, there's no way I can be forced to stay somewhere where I can't support my child or me.I know I can't leave the county until we go to court.I was just served Petition to Adjudicate Parentage papers

 

[irish223]

I live in Plano, Texas and the father of my child has filed papers for the visitation rights to our daughter. I am going to have to move out of Plano and back to Lubbock (and move in with my mom) because I am unemployed and have no income coming in. He and his lawyers are trying to scare me into thinking that I HAVE to stay in Plano and when we go to court this is what they're fighting for. I cannot afford an attorney and just want to know my rights. Surely, there's no way I can be forced to stay somewhere where I can't support my child or me.I know I can't leave the county until we go to court.I was just served Petition to Adjudicate Parentage papers

YOU can't be forced to stay in Plano, but the court can require that the CHILD stays there.

You will need to prove that the move to Lubbock is in the best interests of the child. Can you show that you've looked for a job with no success? Are you willing to provide transportation for the father's visitations? If you can't afford an attorney, at least get an initial consult to find out about other things you can do to strengthen your case.

ETA: I found this article that may help you prepare:
http://www.tholstruplaw.com/relocation-issues.html#relocation

 

[Duranie]

Yes you can be forced to leave the child behind. Dad has the right to see his child and the courts will determine if the move is in the child's best interest or not. I suggest you work something out with him to get him to agree to the move. How far away are you moving? Are you willing to do at least half or even all the driving to visits? Also you should secure a job in this new city that will give you better leverage to move.