How are the living expenses at Chicago?

How to win my case in court to move to Chicago with my 3 year old son?

• I am a single father of my 3 year old son, trying to go to school and work. His mother has never been anything like a dependable source for help, can't hold a [part time] job for more than two months, still uses drugs and drinks on a regular basis, has had multiple goals for school, but has failed to complete them to date, etc. . We all live in Pittsburgh, but with all the expenses of living, I can't afford to go to school, work, pay for daycare, and also stay clean/sober as a recovered addict/alcoholic going to meetings. I'm trying to move to Chicago just till I finish school, but am extremely nervous that my ex will gain custody because I can't afford to live anymore. She lives with her parents, but nobody in that house actually gives a damn about my son and his actual well being, they only care about gaining upper hand against me. If we were to move to Chicago with my parents, I would be able to go to school, work, pay for daycare, and all the other necessary things of being a parent. I discussed this case with my lawyer, but she kept saying that the reasons I was giving didn't support a move to another state. I thought that not having a place to live when my lease is up in May was a good enough reason to move in with my mom, and my ex really has NEVER paid anything whatsoever to pay for expenses, and she always asks me to buy pull ups, clothes for when he occasionally goes to her house, etc. Any knowledge or experience with some pointers that I can present to the judge on court day would be very much appreciated. I love my son more than anything in the world.

• Answer:

  This is a legal question...it has nothing to do with traveling to Chicago. Try entering it under the Politics and government section in the sub-section for Law and Ethics. I doubt if anyone here can give you more help than your own lawyer.