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I know this is very unusual.  Attorney said that I am very likely to get custody of my two minor children, but there is a chance that one (16 year old) might be given the option to remain with my ex, while I get the other (10 year old).  I was asked to prepare examples of what I would like the parenting plans to look like for each possibility.

Wondering if there are any examples or scenarios where others here have made something like this work.

We live a full days' travel apart, so this cuts down on the number of feasible exchanges. 

Because of the age difference, they have vastly different activities, social circles etc.  They also don't get along very well.  However, I don't want to create a situation where they NEVER see each other because one is with me and one is with her 100% of the time.

Have not posted in awhile.  I have a motion to modify filed and am anticipating change of custody to be granted.  I got myself an attorney... actually did research, got recommendations and got one of the highest-recommended.  So I haven't been posting here, rather I am letting him handle it. 

One question I am still coming up with, does anyone know a good way to get documentation from the state, like an itemized list of all child support which has been paid?  LBFH has claimed my son on her taxes for the past three years in violation of the court order, but I have to be able to prove that all child support was paid during those years.  We're expecting that she'll be ordered to amend her returns and sign the IRS release form.

Seeking modification of custody.  The GAL wants to meet with me.  Any advice on how to prepare for such a meeting, what to do/what not to do?  Obviously I am rather nervous about it.

[mother]

Update:  my case is still ongoing, I'm going after a change in custody due to my ex-wife being married to a boy (14 years younger than her) who was convicted of beating up our daughter.  At present, LBFH has primary physical custody and I pay child support.

15 year old son started having an attitude because my wife and I just bought laptop computers with a one-time settlement we received.  We also bought a computer for one of my stepkids to use for school (not too expensive.)  He is asking why we didn't buy things for him instead, such as school supplies, more clothes, a laptop, etc.

LBFH is not a very good mother (hence the reason for the motion to modify) and doesn't know how to manage money.  She receives both child support and state aid, neither she or her new husband have a very good work ethic.  Money rarely gets spent on the kids from what I can tell.... another example, one of the daughters is college age but doesn't see any of the money.... in fact, this daughter has been working since she was 16, and the mother frequently borrows money from the daughter. 

On one hand, I pay child support diligently and feel that LBFH should be providing these things.  We did purchase new shoes at the end of summer, as the shoes she sent him in had literally worn through.  Providing all of these things would be like paying child support twice, and other than the said settlement, we're a paycheck to paycheck family and can't afford to take food off of our own table.

On the other hand, I don't want to see my kids suffer just because they have a bad mother and stepfather.

What's a good way to answer such requests from my son?  I know that I'm not supposed to disparage the other parent, which might be inferred from suggesting that she should be buying this stuff for him.  However, I don't feel that I should have to "cover" for her mistakes, making myself out to be the faulty parent in the process.

Regarding the request for a laptop, I've given them computers in the past and they seem to "disappear" (a polite way of suggesting that she drinks them up.)  I'd likely get him a laptop for school if he lived here, but not sure if I should actually say that, as this would be construed as me bribing him to tell a GAL that he wants to live here.

Is anyone familiar with the procedure to register a foreign (from another state) divorce decree in Illinois?

Is perjury (lying on the witness stand) also considered to be contempt? 

Scenario:  pro se litigant has obtained documentation proving that other party lied in their testimony at a hearing.  Case is still open and active.  Is the course of action to file a motion for rule to show cause? Or is there a different motion for perjury?

In my parenting plan, under "parenting time/vacation schedule" one of the paragraphs reads:

"At any time that the children have 3 days off from school, instead of Columbus Day, father shall have the children in his custody from the Friday of said 3 day weekend at 6pm until the Monday of said 3 day weekend at 6pm."

I'm seeking feedback on how a "reasonable person" would interpret this paragraph....and/or, for opinions on how a judge or attorney would interpret it.

The intent at the time this was created was that I get the kids whenever they have 3 day weekends, aside from Columbus Day.  Her birthday is October 10 and she didn't want that overlapping with my weekend.  Now the ex is playing dumb and trying to pretend that the paragraph means something else.

The "instead of" verbage was put in by my ex....that's why it makes no grammatical sense whatsoever.  (She didn't even finish high school, but acts as if she has a Master's degree...and is bipolar)   

I was at one time falsely accused of child abuse.  The case was accordingly dismissed by the prosecutor.

Another party, in another custody action, keeps bringing it up.  They've made statements in court that I committed the abuse (not alleging, but stating it as fact.)  Do I have any sort of recourse, such as filing a defamation suit against them?