Family Court Advice
Location: Washington
I am currently in a contentious custody battle with my estranged wife. She is claiming domestic violence that is untrue and unfounded. I have countered with her struggles with mental health and multiple suicide attempts. The GAL report found I would be the better option to be the children’s primary guardian but the judge did not rule in my favor. I have been unable to speak in every court appearance and have had to just sit back while unfounded and made up lies are said about me in court. When I try to defend myself the judge says it’s not the time to discuss or have a he said she said moment. I am honestly in a complete loss of what I should do. I know for the majority of cases there is true domestic violence issues and understand why it’s imperative to error on the side of caution and side with the victim but that is just not the case in our scenario. I have worked 90+ hours a week for the last 13 years to provide for my children. The judge is saying I haven’t proven my ability to parent because of that. Our last hearing the judge said my ex’s mental health issue could very much be a result of solely raising our three kids while I was working. My ex has refused to maintain employment the whole time we were together which forced me to work excessively to make ends meet. I feel like I was never given a chance with this commissioner once my ex claimed there was domestic violence. Even in the documents she provided to the court she mentions there was no domestic violence. I am unsure where to go from here. Things I thought I provided that were in my favor were the GAL report and statements from people that have seen me parent my kids. Am I missing something that could have helped me in this? What next steps would you advise?