Go to your local law library which is located in the courthouse and all necessary filings for motions will be available. Lawyer not necessary to file a motion.
Old enough that you have custody of yourself.
Family court generally does take the child's opinion (at any age) into consideration, but they're not bound by it.
Of course, at 18, you can live with anyone that's still willing to have you.
No, it is your choice whether to sign your parental rights away unless they are taken away by a judge.
If you are not served with papers and you know about the pending case than you should contact a family law attorney to get you in the court and part of the custody.
Its too complex to do it yourself. Retain an attorney.
A lot of Court terms can easily be googled. In plain language you have a custody case and either the date changed or its just a notice of hearing. Read the entire document for more details.
Thank You.
If a single father, yes, as you have no assumed rights to the child. If married, generally not, but the application of this is less clear as the police rarely ask the mother to prove she has custody. As such, you get arrested and by the time you clear it up, she has filed against you. see link
That simply means that he is NOT able to take your child out of state. By law he cannot take him out of state.
You need to check the family court files in the jurisdiction where he lived or any jurisdiction where he lived since the child was born. If you were divorced, check in that jurisdiction.
Usually about 1-2 weeks but it can be a long as 30 days. Ast the other side has to be notified and allowed to anser the custody filing
You may be able to petition the court to modify your custody order which includes a request for child support going forward.