THREE WAY CUSTODY BATTLE

[jenchav]

I'M A STEPMOM OF 2 AND MOTHER OF 3.  A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY HUSBAND AND I HELPED HIS FORMER MOTHER-IN-LAW TO GET TEMPORARY CUSTODY OF HIS CHILDREN.  THIS IS BECAUSE THEY WERE BEING ABUSED BY THEIR STEPFATHER AND NEEDED TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR MOTHER'S HOME.  AT THE TIME WE WERE NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY AND OUR HOME WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR ALL OF THE CHILDREN.

THE GRANDMOTHER/GUARDIAN HAS BECOME COMPLETELY UNBEARABLE - SHORTENING OUR VISITATIONS, TELLING US WHEN WE CAN AND CANNOT SEE THE CHILDERN(EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A COURT ORDER).  BECAUSE OF THIS, WE ARE GOING TO COURT TO ATTEMPT TO GET CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN.

THE GRANDMOTHER IS NOW BADMOUTHING US TO THE CHILDREN AND TELLING THEM SHE WILL WIN IN COURT - THAT THEY WILL STAY WITH HER FOREVER, TELLING THEM IF THEY LIVE WITH US, THEY WILL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN, ETC., ETC.

I HAVE HEARD THAT IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO GET CUSTODY BACK (HE NEVER GAVE UP COMPLETE CUSTODY - REMAINED A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT).  DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA ON WHAT KIND OF A SHOT WE WILL HAVE IN GETTING THE CHILDREN IN OUR HOME?  I NEED A NONBIASED OPINION.  REALLY STRESSED OVER THE SITUATION.

[Peanutsdad]

I'll be honest here,,if the situation that existed prior to the Gma obtaining custody still exists,, you might be in for a rough go of it. ie; no room, no funds.

With that said, I have seen grandparents and other nonparents win over a presumably fit father. I have also seen a father win over the nonparent,,,, its really a crapshoot and largely dependant on your local courts AND the relationship between the father and the children.



Tips For Getting Started
http://www.deltabravo.net/news/10-19-2000.htm

How To Hire An Attorney
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/hiring.htm

Hiring An Effective Attorney
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/effective.htm

Success Factors In Obtaining Custody
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/tips.htm

http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/missed-visit.htm


One of the first things you'll hear around here is "Document, document, document!". Having good records is *crucial*. Get yourself either the Parenting Time Tracker (PTT) at: http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/tracker.htm or the OPTIMAL Custody Tracking service at: http://www.parentingtime.net. The PTT is good, but the OPTIMAL service is definitely better.