Sole Custody Arrangement Advice
Location: Ohio
I am looking for some guidance on how to file for sole legal custody of my son. For context, his father:
- Has not seen him since July of 2020 and has not contacted me back about seeing him since November 2020
- Has back child support amounting to $20k and was recently charged with non-support for not paying for over 3 years. He is currently on probation for this and still misses payments
We were never married but there is a affidavit of paternity in place. There has never been an established custody order of any sort. I have a full time job, and we live in a stable house. I do still speak with his mother who sees her grandson for holidays and birthdays and gets updates/pictures from me that I know she shares with him. She has made comments about his refusal to reach out to me or work with me.
With all of this in mind, what is the process through which I can obtain sole custody of my son that includes the ability to make medical and legal decisions and have passport and relocation authority without consent from his biological father? Is there any way to go about this that doesn't involve having a spouse and filing for adoption?