Child Custody

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Child Custody
5
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 5:55pm
I have been divorced 5 years, when we went to cour tth eex was given 25% custidy of my daughter, over the past 5 years he has had her about 7% of the time, this past year he had her 7 times. One of the 7 times his current wife attemoted suicide WITH my 8 year old in the home, another time they left my 8 year old and her 7 year old step brother alone in a hotel so they coudl go downstairs. They fight all the time in front of the kids the wife has verbally attacked my daughter to me in emails, of course Ihave never told my daugheter. My daughter refuses to stay the night there, she kicks and screams, she said she will see her dad but will not stay the night. But of course NOW since i have gone back to court for modification he is insisting on the 25%. I am requesting my child never be left alone with the new wife, and only vacations she is allowed with her father is if he is on vacation from work so she is not left with the step mom, they live 50 miles away so she will not go to camp. Is this unreasonable? Do they ever take into consideration what an 8 year says, I haveher in counsleling and she has told the counselor all of this and the counselor is writing a letter to the mediator. Do I have a chance?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2005
In reply to: fooled2much
Fri, 12-15-2006 - 4:51pm

I understand how you feel and I wish that I could help you out, however, the best person to consult is a lawyer.

I do know that courts may listen to an 8 year old, but you would be better off having documentation.

Why is he insisting upon custody? Is it money?

Please consult with an attorney.

Stay stronge. Hugs!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: fooled2much
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 4:36pm

Is any of the suicide attempts or domestic violence documented? (were the police or hospital involved?)


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
In reply to: fooled2much
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 4:54pm
I have emails from his wife verbally attacking my daughter, calling her fat, a brat, she is ugly. I have emailed from my ex tellingme that he is sorry they left her alone in a hotel, he is sorry his wife is "whacked in the head". My daughter openly discusses the suicide attempt, she was there. I have alot of documentation. Since I have served him, October, he has had his daughter 1 night for less than 24 hours, he just informed me last night they are going on vacation so he will not be seeing her till after mediation which is on January 2. He said that he wants my daughter to go with him on vacation, but my daughter does not want to go for a week with him, he said I am a bad parent for not forcing her, I told him she is afraid I will not force her
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: fooled2much
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 7:02pm

If push comes to shove you can lay out copies of the e mails, etc. and say "this" is why I'm not letting her go--I'll see you in court.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
In reply to: fooled2much
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 11:35pm
Talk to a lawyer about emergency temporary orders and get the court to assign a guardian ad litum to your child.

Susan

"Success is building a foundation wit