How do I go about getting full custody of my daughter?

When my ex's ex left their kids he went to CPS when she was gone for 3 weeks. They gave him custody and said it was due to abandonment by their natural mother. Go to CPS and tell them mom abandoned her and you want emergency custody. You will get a court date within days usually. If she abandoned her and left the state it goes from being misdemeanor to felony. Although, they don't always charge. My ex's ex didn't get charged, she just lost the kids. She can't take her out of state w/o your permission if you have joint custody.

Because you now have primary possession, you can file for a modification in the order, AND for child support. A simple modification can be done Pro Se. This company can help you with the filing and what to do in court. They also work on these issues. A number of my members have used them.
http://www.helpyourselfdivorce.com/

To learn your rights, join Dads House in Yahoo Groups
http://Dads-House.org

Whether you use an attorney, or represent yourself, you still need to follow the same procedures for collecting evidence.

GETTING STARTED
Daily Journal
http://www.ehow.com/how_5909856_keep-use-family-law-cases.html

Chronological Statement
http://www.ehow.com/how_5909867_create-statement-family-court-attorney.html

Recording Conversations
http://www.ehow.com/how_5912703_it_s-use-family-law-cases.html

ATTORNEYS & YOU
Choosing An Attorney
http://www.ehow.com/how_5922881_choose-rights-family-law-attorney.html

Interviewing An Attorney
http://www.ehow.com/how_5913406_conduct-law-attorneys-reprsent-father.html

CHILD CUSTODY
Can Fathers Win Custody?
http://www.ehow.com/how_5918033_child-custody_-can-fathers-win.html

Contested Considerations
http://www.ehow.com/how_5918038_contested-considerations-child-custody_what.html

Cooperative Parenting
http://www.ehow.com/how_5921797_cooperative-parenting-necessary-children.html

Considered Factors In Challenging Custody
http://www.ehow.com/how_5921984_consider-go-child-custody-modification.html

Custody Challenge Interrogatories
http://www.ehow.com/how_5922027_prepare-custody-challenge-related-interrogatories.html

Court Watchers
http://www.ehow.com/how_5922093_use-court-watchers-family-court.html

Know that in 60% of custody challenges by fathers, they will be accused of sexual abuse of the child.
ABUSE ISSUES
Child Sexual Abuse
http://www.ehow.com/how_5927362_deal-allegations-child-sexual-abuse.html

Preparing For A Potential False Allegation
http://www.ehow.com/how_5927368_prepare-possible-false-allegation-abuse.html

Dealing With A False Allegation
http://www.ehow.com/how_5927368_prepare-possible-false-allegation-abuse.html

I understand your situation completely, my mom went through the same thing about three years ago. You need to find an attorney and have them file the papers for full custody of your daughter. The major winning points of the above are that she dropped your daughter off at her mothers instead of with you. Plus you have a lot of family close by (which will defiantly be good in the judges eyes, it helped majorly with our case). So sounds like you just need to file the papers and go through the very long process. My sister was moved for different circumstances, but the fact that we had strong family connection all living within a mile of each other, steady employment, good finances, and dependable we won the case. Whereas her dad moved around many times within a two year period, frequently changing jobs, and constantly sleeping or dumping her off with a baby sitter. So sounds like you have a decent chance of winning. You could go into court and the judge says leave things as they are, but you defiantly have a lot of positives on your side. Good Luck!!

You need to get good legal representation to help steer you through the family court system.