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How can I get my child's medical records?
Unless your parenting plan specifically bars you from accessing to your child's medical records, you have the right to obtain them. Use the Request for Medical Records Letter to get your child's medical records and other information from his or her doctor(s).
My child's school records don't list me as the father/mother. How can I fix this?
Assuming the school will not work with you to correct this, we suggest you use this form letter to request a change, addition, or removal of incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate information in your child's school records, as allowed under the Family Rights and Educational Privacy Act (FERPA): Correcting School Records Form Letter.
Include a copy of the relevant portion from your divorce decree or parenting plan that shows you are one of the child's parents. If necessary, have your attorney send the letter to the school on his or hr letterhead.
What is the "Right of First Refusal"?
Having the "Right of First Refusal" basically means that before either parent can use the services of a baby-sitter or other third-party caregiver, the other parent must be given the opportunity to care for the child during that time.
More information: 'Right Of First Refusal' Provisions
Is unemployment a factor in awarding custody?
Unemployment can be a factor, but it might not work the way you'd expect it to.
In some instances, not having a job equates to having more available time for the children, and if the judge knows one parent is working and able to financially support the children, the one without the job is free to be the "caretaker" or custodial parent.
This is statistically more likely to be true if the unemployed parent is the mother. This may not be fair, but it is a fact that should be taken into account. Some attorneys will go so far as to advise a parent to quit work in order to bring this very kind of situation into effect. This tactic is much more likely to be suggested to a mother than a father.
My ex is (or was) using drugs; will that help me get custody?
It might. If this can be brought to the attention of the judge (or better yet, a custody evaluator), it may be a decisive factor.
Marijuana use isn't considered to be as serious an offense as it used to be, but the use of cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines, as well as "designer drugs" like Ecstasy, is taken very seriously by most judges and evaluators.
For more on drug testing, read Drug Testing.