home school

[littlebit]

I am looking for information or knowledge of home-schooling in regards to custody.  I have put up with so much nonsense from my ex and kept quiet for the sake of our child's peace of mind, but it has now gone too far: she has secretly taken 10yo son out of school to home school him.  (We have joint custody)  Without going into all the details, I will give one example. She said that the judge did not know what she was doing by giving me so much time with son, so she would deal with it her own way.  And she has dealt with it many many times by keeping us apart, alienation tactics, false acusations, etc., but this is the last straw.  

Would changing from public school to home school be a significant change of circumstance to justify change of custody or change in visitation?

Also, I have heard of a case in Etowah county Alabama (i'm in AL) that was just filed for similar reasons.  Does anyone know how I could find out more details about that case?

[Kitty C.]

First, you need to find out what the laws of AL are regarding home-schooling.  Here in Iowa, it is allowed, but they STILL must be associated with a school district and registered with the state as being home-schooled.

Then you need to find out what that other case was about and if it favors you, use it as case law and haul her a$$ back into court.  Your ex's 'perception' that the judge 'didn't know what she was doing is nothing but smoke up your backside, my friend.  This is a COURT ORDER, which means that both parties must follow it to the letter.  That's why the judge ruled on it.  For her to flagrantly defy it is nothing but contempt.  If you do nothing, she will continue to take advantage of you and your son, with greater and greater severity.  You MUST do everything within your power to get this in front of a judge and file contempt on her NOW.

[MixedBag]

My gut reaction to this...

If you have joint custody, then you have joint say on major issues which include EDUCATION.

Call the school board and find out what it takes to homeschool and who is the point of contact.  Work with them.

I know more about WV and that there was a person at my son's school that worked with the fake-wife's homeschooling of her kids.

I agree -- I don't like homeschooling.  

MAYBE you can object to it based on her lack of the right credentials.

And yep, I'd be back in court real fast.

[littlebit]

Thanks for the response.

-If you have joint custody, then you have joint say on major issues which include EDUCATION-

Yes, that is what the law here in Alabama states. And I've come to realize that that piece of paper is very good for wiping my azz with!  :)

The law in regards to home school is, in a nut shell, anything the "schooling" parent wants to do or not do is fine.  Of corse there are minor rules to follow, but all of them have been carefully worked-out through the use of church 'cover-schools', making it possible to avoid any form of regulations whatsoever.  There is even something called "un-school" that seems to be perfectly legal...children never have to open a book, never have to learn to read, never learn how to multiply, etc.....I'm not exagerating!

Everything I've learned has led me to a dead end, but I am not ready to give up.  Surely someone out there has dealt with or heard of something similar.  I really think my only hope is finding some sort of loophole; or maybe a meteor will drop out of the sky and land on...........oh nevermind, just a silly day-dream!

Thanks again!

[littlebit]

Appreciate the advice.  In regards to laws on homeschool, I think I'm screwed.  Or to be more acurate, my son is screwed.  (See response to MxedBag)

Some days I lean toward filing for contempt of court.  With all the records I have kept, I really think that a conviction would not be too hard.  But I know that after all the time and $ I put into that, her punishment will be 3 hail-marys and put your nose in the corner.  And my son will still be no better off!

I am diligently searching for a way to find out about the other desperate soul who is fighting this no-school/home-school fiasco.  But so far I've come up empty.  Every avenue seems to be available only after everything is said and done on the case, not during the battle.

Thanks again.  If nothing else, it helps to just get it out sometimes!