What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA
My 15 year old son decided to live with me about 6 months ago and his mother stopped speaking to him once he moved out of her house. She has refused any visitation with him which is ok with him since she was pretty controlling and verbally abusive in the past. His mother had a live-in boyfriend that he didn't like, plus he and his mom weren't getting along at all. I've always had my kids 3-4 days a week until my ex got a new boyfriend. She originally moved them into his house (changed schools, 60 miles away without even notifying me but that's another story) but then the house was foreclosed so they all moved back into her house. Turns out the boyfriend has an arrest record for drugs, stalking a variety of different women but no convictions. I have temporary legal custody and expect to finalize permanent custody next month. My daughter previously asked to live with me (mostly because of the boyfriend ), then when the boyfriend moved out of her mom's house, she changed her mind. She asked instead for an increase in my visitation to 50/50 so she could spend equal time in both houses- week on/week off. We now live close to each other. Her mother has been extremely difficult throughout the past 6 months, alternately refusing my current weekend visitation at all, denying holidays, taking or disabling my daughter's cell phone, refusing to answer my calls or emails (she has no land line so I'm dependent on cell phones and I've replaced my daughter's cell phone over three times). Now, just a few weeks before court, my daughter has started acting really angry towards me - doesn't want to come over, etc.. I realize that she has had a big adjustment with her brother not living with her anymore, but I don't know what to do. My lawyer says I can file contempt charges against my ex-wife, but I also don't want to put my daughter under even more stress. I also don't want to lose touch with my daughter. My ex is unstable and a very punishing kind of person . I'm concerned about the repercussions for my daughter without my steady participation. My gut tells me that a 13 year old who has been through alot of turmoil in the last year shouldn't be allowed to dictate this and that she is looking for someone to blame for this turmoil (I guess that's me). I've taken my son to see a therapist to help him with alot of these issues but my ex won't allow my daughter to go. Any suggestions?
My 15 year old son decided to live with me about 6 months ago and his mother stopped speaking to him once he moved out of her house. She has refused any visitation with him which is ok with him since she was pretty controlling and verbally abusive in the past. His mother had a live-in boyfriend that he didn't like, plus he and his mom weren't getting along at all. I've always had my kids 3-4 days a week until my ex got a new boyfriend. She originally moved them into his house (changed schools, 60 miles away without even notifying me but that's another story) but then the house was foreclosed so they all moved back into her house. Turns out the boyfriend has an arrest record for drugs, stalking a variety of different women but no convictions. I have temporary legal custody and expect to finalize permanent custody next month. My daughter previously asked to live with me (mostly because of the boyfriend ), then when the boyfriend moved out of her mom's house, she changed her mind. She asked instead for an increase in my visitation to 50/50 so she could spend equal time in both houses- week on/week off. We now live close to each other. Her mother has been extremely difficult throughout the past 6 months, alternately refusing my current weekend visitation at all, denying holidays, taking or disabling my daughter's cell phone, refusing to answer my calls or emails (she has no land line so I'm dependent on cell phones and I've replaced my daughter's cell phone over three times). Now, just a few weeks before court, my daughter has started acting really angry towards me - doesn't want to come over, etc.. I realize that she has had a big adjustment with her brother not living with her anymore, but I don't know what to do. My lawyer says I can file contempt charges against my ex-wife, but I also don't want to put my daughter under even more stress. I also don't want to lose touch with my daughter. My ex is unstable and a very punishing kind of person . I'm concerned about the repercussions for my daughter without my steady participation. My gut tells me that a 13 year old who has been through alot of turmoil in the last year shouldn't be allowed to dictate this and that she is looking for someone to blame for this turmoil (I guess that's me). I've taken my son to see a therapist to help him with alot of these issues but my ex won't allow my daughter to go. Any suggestions?