LONG DISTANCE CUSTODY BATTLE

[DRYTEAR5]

FROM A PRIOR RELATIONSHIP ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO MY WIFE HAD A CHILD. AFTER ABOUT THREE YEARS, DURING WHICH THE BOY'S FATHER WAS INCARCERATED, MY WIFE HAD SURRENDERED CUSTODY OF HER CHILD TO THE FATHER.  SINCE THAT TIME SHE HAS JOINED THE MILITARY, ESTABLISHED GOOD CREDIT, AND HAS A VERY RESPECTABLE CAREER.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HER INTENTION TO SHARE CUSTODY OF HER CHILD, AND FELT IT WAS AN UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HER AND THE FATHER.  DURING THE PAST COUPLE YEARS A PORTION OF HER PAY CHECK HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR CHILD SUPPORT VOLUNTEERILY.  HER RECENT RELOCATION WILL BE HER PERMINENT DUTY STATION FOR A GREAT LENGTH OF TIME.  WITH THIS IN CONSIDERATION AND WITH OUR OWN CHILD ON THE WAY.  WE THINK IT BEST TO FIGHT FOR JOINT CUSTODY.  WE HAD TRIED TO COMMUNICATE OUR VIEWS ON THE CHILD'S WELL BEING BUT ONLY RECIEVED UNWELCOME THREATS IN RETURN. THE FATHER HAS RECENTLY HEARD OF OUR PLANS AND DECIDED TO FIGHT FOR CHILD SUPPORT.  HE HAS ALSO CONVINCED MY WIFE THAT HAVING JOINT CUSTODY WOULD DESTROY THE CHILD'S LIFE.  THIS HAS DAMPERED OUR PLAN AS NOW SHE IS SCARED OF HARMING HER CHILD.  THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR AS I HAVE BEEN IN THIS CHILDS SHOES.  AND I DON'T WANT MY WIFE TO BE IN PAIN WITHOUT HER CHILD AND GIVE UP BECAUSE OF BULLYING.  ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT WE ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY.  WE HAVE NO LEGAL COUNCIL BECUASE MY MY WIFE IS UNSURE THEY CAN DO ANYTHING SINCE SHE SIGNED CUSTODY OVER WHEN SHE WAS 16.  PLEASE ADVISE ON COURSES OF ACTION THAT WILL AQUIRE US JOINT CUSTODY.  AND IF WE COULD GET HELP IN UNDERSTANDING PENNSILVANIA'S LAWS SO WE MIGHT BE PREPARED FOR THE UPCOMING.

SO I AM ASKING HELP OF ANY LEGAL OR PERSONAL ADVICE ON THIS MATTER.

SINCERELY,
MJ

[lissa68]

Post this on Dear Socrateaser he may be able to better answer your questions.

:)