yes i know im an adult and no hes not in my life KINDA but hes such a horrible person and i was wondering besides changing my last name if there’s anyway i can legally only be my mother’s child on paper without having to get him to sign rights away?
I have a son who has recently turned 15; this past August (he was 14) he decided he was going to start sneaking around trying to stay the night at his girlfriends and sneaking out of my house. His father knew about these things and did not tell me. When my son was confronted he packed his bags and took off to his dads. Very little communication followed for a few weeks and I figured when school was starting he would be back; but instead I got court papers for custody and of course child support. My sons law guardian has always been a conflict of interest as she knew my ex personally before she was ever appointed (have notified the court multiple times). My son told the guardian he wanted more time with his dad (1:1 household vs family of 5 at my house) and that we argue at my house. The court did not take any history or facts into consideration, just the words of a 14 year old trying to get his way. The court was fine with it and told me oh well the 14 year old can choose whether he sees me or not so I didn’t even get visitation. My ex filed for support and then did not turn any documentation that the court requested….resulting in 3 court appearances spanning over 6 months all because he didn’t want to turn in his finances while asking me for money. That court awarded my ex child support even though I have been a stay at home mom for going on 3 years with my two younger children. They told me my wife couldn’t be responsible for my son but she pays all the bills and I don’t work so they made up a fake salary in order for me to pay support all because I used to work as a nurse.
My ex and I have a very long history. We have a large age difference of 18 years…I was 19 when I got pregnant for our son. The three years I was with his father I endured physical, emotional, financial and mental abuse. I’ve had restraining orders/orders of protection; CPS had been involved many times and even told me if I don’t leave they would take my son from me. When I left my son was 3 years old and we lived in a domestic violence shelter until I could get my own place. Shortly after that I was awarded physical and legal custody of my son’s older sister; my exes oldest child whom was a teenager at the time. The 12 years we’ve been back and forth in court should matter I would think? I can’t afford a lawyer so I’m lost on what to do next? My son is a lost child due to the abuse he’s witnessed and the lies his father has fed him. My son keeps asking me to just tell him all the truth about his father so he can figure out why he’s so torn but I don’t want to do that as I would never want to ruin their relationship. My son has witnessed his father’s abusive parts with other women as well as towards himself. Looking for any help/advice.
Keeping it short. The dad not paying child support, amount he has to pay per month is tiny (< $300). He doesn't have a lot to even take.
OGA never did anything helpful to collect it over the years when Mom needed it.
Mom found it much simpler to use 0% child support and waiving the existing arrearage as motivation to agree to drop the residency restriction of the child (to within the state of Texas vs a school district in a rough area). We bring the kid to the dad once a month ~200 miles away for the weekend during the school year.
We signed the agreement with the dad for court, OGA forced us to drop the arrearage forgiveness from the new simple custody agreement before they signed.
He's at 8k owed. 10k is a felony. We would much rather have him paying nothing and in his kids life, than him getting arrested and not being there at all... But the OGA is standing in the way of it.
Would a notorized letter from the mom forgiving past arrearage help? Is him paying us through the OGA and us sending it back once received illegal?
It feels weird that the OGA has so much power when even the other parent doesn't want or need the help.
For a bit of reference me and my co-parent have 50:50 custody. Custody battle was literally HELL but it was resolved during meditation. We were doing week on and offs. Anyways my co-parent was so difficult to deal with during the week he had our child so I spoke to my lawyer to let him know what he was doing was wrong. Then it got better. Fast forward to know, he always says he doesn’t have time to take our child so we agreed to him taking our child every other weekend sat-sun. Some days he won’t even take our child cause he’s busy working or he doesn’t have money…? It’s been a month since he’s responded to any of our messages or paid child support. He’s also not paid back pay for 3 months. So I’m not sure where to go from here. Our child starts school soon so we need to split the cost of school supplies and the uniform so I’m not sure what to do now….. I just want different point of views and what you would do in my situation. All answers are welcomed.
I’m looking for some advice on child support as my situation is changing.
I’ve been paying child support through FRO for the past 10 years. My ex has full custody. My son turns 18 next February.
I currently pay around $1,600/month in support, and none of that money goes directly to him. I also contribute about $5,000 per year toward his hockey.
He’ll be leaving home to play hockey out of town and living with a billet family (around $800/month), so he won’t be living with either parent.
Given that he’ll be 18 and no longer living with his mother, am I still required to continue paying the same level of support? Ideally, I’d like to see the money go directly toward him if possible.
Also, if he comes back home during the summer, how does that typically work in terms of support?
Would this be a situation where I should go back to court to have the support order changed, or is this something that can be adjusted without going that far?
Any insight or similar experiences would be appreciated.
Ontario Canada
This is a long story, but this is about a father desperately seeking for direction on custody and visitation. Long story short, are there any options for a father looking to get visitation after a pfa has been granted? The pfa prohibits father from contacting mother, not the child, but mother has blocked fathers phone number on child’s phone. The child is too young to communicate without parental facilitation. Mother has moved and father does not have current address.
So today my ex's lawyer asked me to change the exchange location of our son to hand him off to her, specifically a movie theater. I replied to the lawyers request with a clear refusal to do so.
This lawyer is and has been high conflict she turns everything into an argument, she has accused me of lying about things that were easily shown to be true etc etc etc.
When my ex was 45 minutes late to pick up our son she finally called and asked why I had not dropped him off at the theatre as I had agreed to do, apparently she had waited 45 minutes under the belief I had agreed. I told her I had not agreed. She seemed to be sure I had. My son was upset so I did drop him off he shouldn't have to miss out just so an adult can win an argument
There seems to be only two conclusions to draw from this, her lawyer lied to her to cause friction or my ex is lying (which I don't think is the case) why would she wait 45 minutes unless she actually believed I was going to show up
I've demanded an explanation from her lawyer but I don't think I'll get one.
I no longer believe my communication is being honestly relayed to my ex so the lawyer can increase conflict.
What do I do?
My ex son in law has kidnapped my seven year old granddaughter. I say kidnapped because I have full legal guardianship, while he (nor my daughter) have any custodial rights. Both are in recovery from heavy drug use, and he has a long list of felonies, including serving time in prison.
I have had full guardianship for over five years, and she has lived in my home since she was an infant. Since she was under guardianship when he and my daughter divorced, custody was not ordered, hence why neither have custodial rights. I’ve done more than a fair job at allowing him parenting time, so that’s not the issue.
He was supposed to return her last Sunday, after his week long visit. Instead, he sent me a scathing text message basically saying my guardianship is going to end and he won’t be returning her.
I’ve been there twice with the police but he’s refusing to return her, just being nasty and combative with them. Even though I have documentation showing I am her legal guardian, they will not forcibly remove her unless she is in danger.
To make things even worse, he told the police that he called CPS on me and filed a report. I have no idea what he is claiming, but it’s 100% fabricated. There is nothing in my life or home that is dangerous, neglectful, abusive, etc., there’s no weapons, no drugs, I have no criminal record at all. I am a 50 something stay at home grandma to this little girl who my world revolves around.
So, now on Monday, my attorney will need to file with the court to order him to return her. But, I’ve read that even with a court order, I may not get her back that easily.
I haven’t seen her in two weeks, nor talked to her in a week, and am just sick over it. He also is not allowing her to speak to my daughter, her mom. I honestly just cannot wrap my head around what he’s thinking. The police even told him this wasn’t going to look good for him. He claims to have an attorney, but in what world would any attorney tell him it’s okay to keep her like this?
Yes, I miss her like crazy, but knowing the trauma he is causing her right now is what’s doing me in. She told the police she wanted to come home with me; I can only imagine how sad she is, how much she misses me and her friends and her pets.
I will never forgive him for this, and if I have my way, he’s going to add to his long criminal record - parental kidnapping and filing a false CPS report.
Any advice at all?
So long story my wife has three children with her ex husband. I’m her current husband for context, in February our oldest had a meltdown one night kicking and screaming so we suggested for the wellbeing of the younger two children that she go’s to stay with her dad for a few weeks until she had calmed down. Now this has carried on and she’s not wanted to stay at our house. Which has been fine everyone has been a lot more relaxed since this. Now comes the problems after 3 weeks of being at her dads he claimed child benefits for her which we didn’t expect her to stay that long but it’s ok well now the other problem. He’s claimed child maintenance off my wife but did it very sneaky he used her old married name and a phone number she’s not used in 8 years. So when we found the letter 4 weeks late. (wife is terrible and checking her mail) she calls up child maintenance they advised her to put a counter claim in as he hasn’t given any money for the kids in nearly 3 years. Well he got the letter today and has called up my wife kicking off shouting that they have them more than they are here and he’s claiming he wants sole custody of the younger two children. The kids were supposed to be going today but we don’t think he would return them so have kept them at home until we speak to a lawyer. What chances has he of winning as my wife is in bits about it. Thank you for all your advice in advance
Edit
Kids are 15,12 and 9. Dad has only demanded sole custody as a retaliation because we have claimed against him from advisement from child maintenance. Oldest has issues and possible underlying adhd and autism so can be extremely difficult with her behaviour.
this is more of a hypothetical into my future my parents are kind of horrible people to me and id like to get away from them as soon as I possibly can but my dad has mentioned paying for my schooling if they took out debt to pay for it is there any way that can be put back onto me if the loan is completely in their name if it helps im from Florida sources are preferred :D
My ex and I have a custody order, but I haven’t really been following it. Instead of taking my alternating weekends, I’ve mostly just been seeing my son for the one overnight during the school week.
He’s about to start a new school, and now I’d have to fight rush-hour traffic to pick him up after school (big city) and then take him back the next morning before work. I’m realizing I don’t really want to spend hours every week sitting on the freeway. It’s not what is best for my child.
I’m thinking about asking to switch to Friday nights instead, or just go back to alternating weekends only.
My ex is not flexible and says follow the judge’s order. I can’t do this commute for me or my kid.
Would I be the jerk for asking to change it because I don’t want to spend hours driving every week? Or is that just being realistic?
I currently live in Texas. My partner and I are unmarried and have a daughter. We are separating and I will be moving with our daughter to Tennessee. I would like to have full custody of her. There is an acknowledgment of paternity. Should I file in Texas or wait until we have lived in Tennessee for 6 months prior to filing? Is there a difference? Should I even file at all?
Has anyone filed of the other parent seeking relocation and primary custody? How did it go and reasons it was granted or denied?
My case is parent doesn’t answer messages. Restricts my phone call with the children. Underreported her income. I’m afraid I will lose but other says she won’t and loses all credibility.
Hi family law folks. Unmarried father here with two young kids, three and one years old. My ex girlfriend and i decided to split up and now overnight she told me she is moving them out of state tomorrow without my consent. I’ve spoken with police and three family attorneys today who all told me the same thing: as an unmarried parent in Arizona without established custody, I have no legal recourse to stop this right now. I can only file for custody or a custody order once the courts open Monday. Before that happens, I wanted to ask if there anything I’m missing? Any legal avenue, emergency order, or anything else that could prevent them from just leaving tomorrow? Or do I just have to let this happen and start the legal process Monday? Looking for any guidance before tomorrow.
Also I am on both birth certificates and we both signed a VAP when they were born. I can’t afford an attorney retainer so I’m going to have to go at this alone but just want to be able to see my kids.
Thanks!
Made a reddit account for this, desperately need help. This post is about the family of my girlfriend of ~1 year (17F), but she's kind of scared to reach out for help herself so I'm doing it for her. I'm not extremely versed with family legal terms so please bear with me and ask clarifying questions. [Texas USA]
My gf's parents have been divorced for 9-10 years now. The custody situation is the typical deal where she lives with her mom majority of the time, then she goes to visit her dad on some weekends as well as a longer period during the summer. After some family drama around 4 years ago, she stopped seeing her dad completely and now lives with her mom full time, a decision in which her dad is completely fine with and does not complain about. However, around November 2025, the child support checks stopped coming. The father reached out and said that he recently lost his job and needs to halt child support for a bit. This does not fare well with my gf and her mom because they are barely affording their $1,200 rent by a bag of groceries (Both gf and mother have jobs). It has been now almost 8 months and still no checks. However we suspect the father is back on his feet because my gf's brother (who lives with dad) tells us they are living quite comfortably, so money must be coming from somewhere. As of this week, gf and mom are no longer able to pay rent and are thinking about moving into the mom's boyfriend's house (whom manipulates the mother, MY gf absolutely hates, and does not welcome me into his home or like me dating his 'step daughter').
So, the biggest question is, how do we get child support back? Good and experienced (expensive) lawyers are out of the question because they can't even afford a grocery trip. Even if we can get a lawyer to demand the child support in court or whatnot, a fear is that the father uses the fact that my gf hasn't been visiting against us as like a counter accusation and complicate the situation. Please help, money is a HUGE problem.
Summary: Girl agreed with father to stop visiting, father stopped paying child support after a while, family can't afford lawyer and is scared that father will bring up fact of no visitation.
Child is split 50/50. Other parent seeking to terminate child support due other parent loss career job. Have a rental unit but only helps cover the mortgage.
Other parent claiming they can’t provide any support but financial seeking mortgage loans.
Has money for attorney to keep taking other parent to court
Drives Luxury cars
Child care will be reduce by 300.00 soon
How can a lawyer help me not pay for someone who continues to remain underemployed?
The other parent is fighting my modification request. Kids are all above 8yrs old. We are basically parallel parenting with 50/50.
We have a modification hearing in September because I’ve asked her to change from 2-2-5-5 to week on / week off.
She’s refusing.
Now she’s asking us to use a “co-parent counselor” to “avoid court”.
My attorney said the counselor she selected is well known and respected and that i would look bad to refuse to participate at all (but it is my right and I can veto the therapist)
I just.. idk I feel like she’s doing this cause it’s pretty obvious that 2-2-5 isn’t working (we fight all the time) and this is her “last shot” at getting someone else to weigh in and stop it.
I have a meeting to discuss some concerns with the therapist next week but my ex shared examples of “a new parental plan” which spells out “bed time routines” and seems to place way more rules or requirements than our existing agreement.
Oh which… I’m perfectly happy with except the 2-2-5-5.
Anyone have experience with co-parent counseling?
Doesn’t this sound like a setup?
In 2023 my ex and I had our custody agreement changed. I raised my son alone his whole life up until 2023 when he turned 12 and he has a younger half sibling. His dad (ex husband) is extremely controlling and long story short financially bullied me into agreeing to change our custody. He’s better in every way blah blah blah. I’m a single mother and cosmetologist for a living I make under 30k and he makes over 200k. He lives in Texas and I am in Florida where my son spent his entire life. He is now 15 and since this change he has been begging to live with us again. He is depressed and isolated there. And says his dad and new wife humiliate him constantly. And speak poorly of me. I obviously want him home that’s my biggest regret in life was signing those papers. However I am terrified of the financial consequences I will face. Right now I have him summers and Christmas break. His dad has him during the school year. He has changed his school 3 times in the three years he’s had him. My son is adamant that when summer is over he will not get on a plane and go back. I am responsible for his travel and I’m wondering how to protect myself. I know I need to file a motion for change but do I do this now or after he refuses. I will still purchase his flight and do what I can to convince him to obey the order but I’m sure he’s going to refuse. He says he wants his chance to speak to the court and state his wishes. He has a job here already working at my families restaurant and is very smart and has plans to go to college in this state so he wants to establish residency and get his license here. He seems to have it all planned out. What consequences if any will I face and when if at all do I just enroll him in school here? If he physically refuses to board the plane what sort of trouble am I certain to face? Thank you
This man will not stop filing motions. He’s so upset about being ordered to pay support that he will stop at nothing to get the court to reconsider. The entire thing was mostly filled of text correspondence of our interpersonal conflict. Most of which started up after he was ordered support. I’m so exhausted from this whole process. I wish he would stop making this about getting back at me but about the children. He got an independent financial analyst to reorganize already submitted items to appear as though he makes less money as shown on tax returns. Sadly I’m not at the point with him that I can file a motion for a vexatious litigant. I was a wife for 10 plus years and a stay at home mother. I gave up everything for him. Although I wanted the divorce he promised we would never have an ugly divorce. He cut me off, closed accounts, didn’t give me any money to get an attorney, I had no money. Now I’m on welfare trying to keep a roof over my head while I’m in school. I’m so heartbroken 💔 does it end. What if the court orders in his favor this time. I’ll be destitute. He was abusive in the marriage, but this legal abuse feels worse than when we were together.
My wife and I have just recently agreed to divorce. She has a daughter (now 11F)from outside of our relationship, whose life I’ve been a part of since she was 2. The three of us had discussed it several times, but we had not yet filed for adoption as my daughter’s (dead beat, completely absent) bio-dad still has legal rights. We are still in the early phases and have agreed to try to do it as amicably as possible, but I don’t know what steps I can take to try to protect my relationship with my daughter if it gets messy. From my understanding if we finalized the divorce now, I would have zero legal rights to any kind of relationship with my daughter - what can I do to gain legal standing to protect my relationship with her? How would her bio-dad still having legal rights affect my chances?