ScorpioChelle
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
I'll try to not make you all feel like you're reading a novel.
I am a single mom to a 5 (almost 6) year old boy, who has been diagnosed with a severe case of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD). His father signed the birth certificate, and has been consistently absent in my son's life. My son has a relationship with his paternal grandparents, and knows who his father is, since he's seen him a handful of times. . maybe once a year if he's lucky.
His father now lives over 200 miles away from me. My son is established here, has gone to school here, and is in an intensive outpatient therapy (Full Service Partnership) program, where he receives sessions twice a week (not including case manager appointments, and once to twice a month psychiatrist appointments). His father has only lived in the area since June, and has only been dating the girl he's living with since May (both of this year). When they kept pestering me to let my son go and be with them for a weekend, I told them that it wasn't wise for him, given his condition, and his inability to adapt well to new situations (AD/HD kids can't handle sudden changes, and they need LOTS of transitions, no matter how big or small). So I got the ball rolling for custody/visitation, so that things would be legal. I petitioned for sole physical and sole legal custody, and that he could have visitation (there is an existing support order which he's quite delinquent on). I also added that I would like to have full responsibility on decisions regarding my son's mental health treatment and medication management.
Everything is fine (at first), he's complying, and actually talking to my son's therapist at times, more for consent and what not. We have mediation this coming Tuesday (Sept. 16), and I just heard from his therapist yesterday (Friday), that he suddenly decided he wants to suspend services for my son "until further notice." Of course, his therapist couldn't disclose to me WHY the father did that, but I don't see how this is in the child's best interest.
They have made comments to me as if they're not going to agree with anything I have petitioned. I personally believe that he suspended my son's therapy services so he can hang it over my head, and use it as leverage to get me to agree to whatever he wants.
I'm also under the belief that he has a lawyer, so any type of contact he (or his girlfriend) has made with me, I don't disclose anything that could potentially make me look bad under public scrutiny. I however, do not have a lawyer (but I am under the impression that I will be appointed one by the court).
I'm just filled with anxiety at this point, and I'm mostly wondering if this case might appear to others as to whether or not I will be granted what I have petitioned for. My focus is solely on my son's best interest, and keeping him as stable as possible.
Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I'll try to not make you all feel like you're reading a novel.
I am a single mom to a 5 (almost 6) year old boy, who has been diagnosed with a severe case of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD). His father signed the birth certificate, and has been consistently absent in my son's life. My son has a relationship with his paternal grandparents, and knows who his father is, since he's seen him a handful of times. . maybe once a year if he's lucky.
His father now lives over 200 miles away from me. My son is established here, has gone to school here, and is in an intensive outpatient therapy (Full Service Partnership) program, where he receives sessions twice a week (not including case manager appointments, and once to twice a month psychiatrist appointments). His father has only lived in the area since June, and has only been dating the girl he's living with since May (both of this year). When they kept pestering me to let my son go and be with them for a weekend, I told them that it wasn't wise for him, given his condition, and his inability to adapt well to new situations (AD/HD kids can't handle sudden changes, and they need LOTS of transitions, no matter how big or small). So I got the ball rolling for custody/visitation, so that things would be legal. I petitioned for sole physical and sole legal custody, and that he could have visitation (there is an existing support order which he's quite delinquent on). I also added that I would like to have full responsibility on decisions regarding my son's mental health treatment and medication management.
Everything is fine (at first), he's complying, and actually talking to my son's therapist at times, more for consent and what not. We have mediation this coming Tuesday (Sept. 16), and I just heard from his therapist yesterday (Friday), that he suddenly decided he wants to suspend services for my son "until further notice." Of course, his therapist couldn't disclose to me WHY the father did that, but I don't see how this is in the child's best interest.
They have made comments to me as if they're not going to agree with anything I have petitioned. I personally believe that he suspended my son's therapy services so he can hang it over my head, and use it as leverage to get me to agree to whatever he wants.
I'm also under the belief that he has a lawyer, so any type of contact he (or his girlfriend) has made with me, I don't disclose anything that could potentially make me look bad under public scrutiny. I however, do not have a lawyer (but I am under the impression that I will be appointed one by the court).
I'm just filled with anxiety at this point, and I'm mostly wondering if this case might appear to others as to whether or not I will be granted what I have petitioned for. My focus is solely on my son's best interest, and keeping him as stable as possible.
Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!