Could I get child custody of my daughter after her father passed away?

Family disputes after a death are some of the most painful. Since your daughter is going to be 18 soon, many lawyers would advise that it is not worth the expense to establish any kind of authority over her. Is emancipation a recognized legal process in your State? It is not in every case. However, I assume you love your daughter and you want her to have the guidance and care which is every child's right even those who don't want care or guidance. If you think her living situation is a danger to her, now or in the future, you can go back to court to seek termination of the child support, and whatever orders a court can usefully give a 17-year old who perhaps does not recognize her own best interests. Another possibility is establishing a guardianship. This can create legal fees more than you may wish to pay. And it rarely improves human relationships in a family. But it may be worth doing. Consult a capable family law attorney in your area. Good Luck. You have my sympathy.

Depending on why you were not granted custody in the first place, you may have to petition the court to receive custody now. Please contact a family law attorneys to discuss your matter in detail, so that we can adequately answer your question.