Can the father of my child demand that I return our daughter after two years of him knowing that I live with her in Connecticut?

Q: I’m a single mother, my daughter is 9 years old. The father and I were never married, but we do have a joint custody order from 2016.

I moved to Connecticut two years ago, because I had an opportunity to buy a house with a backyard, and a nice neighborhood, and a better job for my daughter and I. At the beginning the father didn’t agree to it, saying it was too far (he lives in New York) I reassured him that he would still see our daughter, and I would still bring her. Finally he agreed. From then I brought her a few times and he couldn’t see her, he only calls her and talk to her in her ipad, but never showed interest on seeing her, he would tell our daughter to let him know when she goes to new York, that is it!
Now after two years later, he wants to file a court order, saying that I have to return her to new York.

A: You were best advised to have filed a modification/relocation Petition 2 years ago. You thus should file a Petition now – especially if he’s threatening to do so. Your current order should always reflect the reality of where you live & the father’s access schedule. You should call a Westchester family Law Attorney to schedule a consult for a full assessment.