Of course we are worried about the child.
No one here, even me, has doubted that what you said about the circumstances in Florida being true.
We just said that you are on some pretty shaky legal ground the way you want to pursue that objective.
Again, not at all.
However, we WILL state that you have put your child in far greater danger of being removed from your custody by trying to "backdoor" mom out of the picture.
Judges, especially when kids are involved, are VERY suspicious of petitioners that seem to be "venue shopping" in the hopes that they can get their way.
Fine, I apologize.
I do know that I, as a step father, cannot enroll my eldest in school because I am a legal stranger. In Marietta.
I do know that I, as a step father, have no say in medical treatment for my step daughter because I am a legal stranger.
You, however, say that even though you are a legal stranger to your child can accomplish both. Via a POA.
But let's move on.
I already apologized for that.
Nothing changes around your custody issue, however.
do this... burn the free consultation with a very good family law attorney and ASK him/her if your plan has merit... won't cost you a dime.
Thank you, you almost didn't come off snidely there.
As far as hearing an attorney out, they aren't the most reliable group either. Much like getting advice here, you have to hope you find someone who not only knows what they're talking about, but has the same conviction as you in doing what's best for the child...not just someone providing lip service in effort to collect a quick check.
If you're in Marietta, you're close to me. I'm sorry you couldn't do it, but if that was because you were hypothetically asking if you could do it just to prove a point here rather than actually trying to do it, I see why. Like I said, what the gatekeepers tell you on the phone is 100% different than if you come with everything I had, child in tow. I made a phone call as well and was told Mom had to do it by the gatekeeper. I went down there and stared that very same gatekeeper in the eye and told her the business. She looked, paused a second, and curtly said "Hold on."
Next thing you know we were led through that single door to the cubicles.
I actually had her enrolled in school first before attempting to get aid for my daughter, as I was buying her food with the last scraps of my financial aid from school last semester. Maybe its because Pre-K runs through daycare as opposed to elementary school, but even then, I fulfilled all documentation requirements with both the Pre-K and the DFACS.
Look, I hear what you guys are saying from a moral standpoint about what I'm doing...though you probably won't understand that if I don't do this as a backup (will explain in a bit), then everyone could be back to the world of chaos that has been Mommy, Daddy, and daughter's world for the last four years due to Mommy's way of living. It's not worth it. Especially now that our daughter is of "need to be on a schedule, living a life with something to learn and look forward to" age.
I say 'as a backup' because I am truly trying to see her mom do better as her in this dysfunctional state isn't good for anyone, especially daughter. In recent weeks, she's toned down on the drinking and the irrational behavior (or at least she's learned how not to call me when she's engaging in that behavior, and that's a first in four years). If this trend keeps up, I'm more than cool with daughter going back. I'd have no problems with having my daughter only for summers, as long as I'm sure mommy is doing the best she can (even if it isn't what I can do up here) for her. I've really tried my best to look at the pros and cons of whatever direction this can go.
If this trend doesn't keep up, I see no reason to force that on my child again. Only to have to go pick her back up at the request of mom in a couple of months with another "This is only until ...." stipulation.
Sorry to break it down so coldly as a matter of insurance, but...seriously, it's what has to be done. Also, keep in mind that I would never try to keep her away from her child. If I were to have custody, no problems with her having summers and holidays all day. My main issue is can you do your daily job as a parent? As of now, recent improving behavior notwithstanding, it looks like she can't.
I refuse to completely divulge everything on a message board as I feel there are some things that should stay between two people unless one ultimately forces the others hand. I do have good reason...and this isn't me just being some controlling prick.