supervised custody sought

[crysta1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA
In 2004 I willfully gave custody of my children to thier maternal grandmother. I was facing a long term incarceration for drug felony charges. Now and for more than two years I am clean, have had the same job for same amount of time. Recently I petitioned the court for supervised visits with my children. to be supervised at my mothers home by her. Hearing is set for Nov 20. Respondent is refusing this, wants me to take and pay for random UA's then be the determiner after only two, one hour visits with my children (a month apart) whether or not visitation should be aloud to continue. I have not asked for an outragious amount of tim with them, I know my mistakes were very detrimental to them, and do not undermine that. I have asked for two days a month 4 hours each time. What steps can I take to help see a better outcome? Will the court determine that it is always in a childs best interest to have some sort of relationhsip with a parent, especially when there is no threat present?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by crysta1

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA
In 2004 I willfully gave custody of my children to thier maternal grandmother. I was facing a long term incarceration for drug felony charges. Now and for more than two years I am clean, have had the same job for same amount of time. Recently I petitioned the court for supervised visits with my children. to be supervised at my mothers home by her. Hearing is set for Nov 20. Respondent is refusing this, wants me to take and pay for random UA's then be the determiner after only two, one hour visits with my children (a month apart) whether or not visitation should be aloud to continue. I have not asked for an outragious amount of tim with them, I know my mistakes were very detrimental to them, and do not undermine that. I have asked for two days a month 4 hours each time. What steps can I take to help see a better outcome? Will the court determine that it is always in a childs best interest to have some sort of relationhsip with a parent, especially when there is no threat present?

Do you have an attorney? If not, is there any way that you could pull off getting one? You should be able to get supervised visitation with your children without any serious problem, but without an attorney grandma may make things very difficult for you.

[Proserpina]

Originally Posted by crysta1

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA
In 2004 I willfully gave custody of my children to thier maternal grandmother. I was facing a long term incarceration for drug felony charges. Now and for more than two years I am clean, have had the same job for same amount of time. Recently I petitioned the court for supervised visits with my children. to be supervised at my mothers home by her. Hearing is set for Nov 20. Respondent is refusing this, wants me to take and pay for random UA's then be the determiner after only two, one hour visits with my children (a month apart) whether or not visitation should be aloud to continue. I have not asked for an outragious amount of tim with them, I know my mistakes were very detrimental to them, and do not undermine that. I have asked for two days a month 4 hours each time. What steps can I take to help see a better outcome? Will the court determine that it is always in a childs best interest to have some sort of relationhsip with a parent, especially when there is no threat present?

It's highly unlikely you will be regaining any custody at all without first a solid history of successful supervised visitation. How old are the children?

Where is Dad, btw?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by Dogmatique

It's highly unlikely you will be regaining any custody at all without first a solid history of successful supervised visitation. How old are the children?

Where is Dad, btw?

I think this is dad...so the question is where is mom?

[Proserpina]

Originally Posted by LdiJ

I think this is dad...so the question is where is mom?

I couldn't tell..but I figured Crysta...was perhaps Crystal. Either way yes, where is the other parent...

[waitinMd]

With or without an attorney I would recommend getting your primary doctor to order a hair follicle test. Have the results of the test faxed to your doctor and to their lawyer. If they do not have a lawyer, send them to family services at the courthouse (you may want to call and get a POC). The Judge can get the test easily from family services.

Get a copy from your doctor for your records. Make sure the office stamp is on the results, and that someone from the doctors offices signs and dates the results.

I would offer to take a hair follicle test every 3 months.

You didn't say the age of the children, and I think many Seniors here would recommend a schedule based on the age.

With your mother supervising and the hair follicle tests, I think you stand a better chance.

But I agree with Ldij an attorney would be the best bet.

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by LdiJ

I think this is dad...so the question is where is mom?

Where did you get that from?

[waitinMd]

In 2004 I willfully gave custody of my children to thier maternal grandmother. I was facing a long term incarceration for drug felony charges. Now and for more than two years I am clean, have had the same job for same amount of time. Recently I petitioned the court for supervised visits with my children. to be supervised at my mothers home by her. Hearing is set for Nov 20. Respondent is refusing this, wants me to take and pay for random UA's then be the determiner after only two, one hour visits with my children (a month apart) whether or not visitation should be aloud to continue. I have not asked for an outragious amount of tim with them, I know my mistakes were very detrimental to them, and do not undermine that. I have asked for two days a month 4 hours each time. What steps can I take to help see a better outcome? Will the court determine that it is always in a childs best interest to have some sort of relationhsip with a parent, especially when there is no threat present?

I would check the reunification program also... it has been over 2 years?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by Blue Meanie

Where did you get that from?

The way that the OP referred to giving the maternal grandmother custody, but then said that he/she wanted supervised visitation supervised by his/her mother. My impression was that his/her mother was a different person than the maternal grandmother.

I could be wrong...but if I am the OP worded his/her initial post strangely.

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by LdiJ

The way that the OP referred to giving the maternal grandmother custody, but then said that he/she wanted supervised visitation supervised by his/her mother. My impression was that his/her mother was a different person than the maternal grandmother.

I could be wrong...but if I am the OP worded his/her initial post strangely.

I agree after re-reading the OP. Sorry to question your impressions.

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by Blue Meanie

I agree after re-reading the OP. Sorry to question your impressions.

No problem...it isn't really very clear and the OP hasn't been back to clarify, so who knows whether the OP is mom or dad.