Military Dad
Junior Member
Hello everybody I just stumbled into this forum while searching the net and I have a problem that some of you may be able to help with.
I’ve been divorced since 1997 and gave my Ex wife custody of our little daughter. But on the fact that I’m in the Military, will be moving around on an average of once every four years plus I frequently stand 48-72 hour duty shifts at my station. I decided my daughter would have a more stable life living with her mom. We agreed on a certain amount for child support and split up all our assets. The divorce went un-contested and all was fine.
Over the last few years, I’ve discovered some disturbing information and am genuinely concerned for my daughter’s health and well-being. Two years ago I picked my daughter up in KY and we went to visit my parents in TX for a couple of weeks when she started complaining about a sore tooth. I took her to a local Dentist were we discovered that her teeth were in terrible shape. The Dentist had to do a pulpotomy, two crowns and two fillings (my girl was five at the time). I inquired the EX about this and she responded with “I don’t take her to the Dentist because I know you will when you pick her up”. I am responsible for maintaining medical/dental insurance for my daughter but I can’t take her for routine exams because of the distance between us. It was my assumption that I would pay and maintain her med/dentist insurance; The EX would make sure that she was scheduled for routine appointments. As far as I know, my daughter has only seen a doctor once, to get shots before school (she will be seven in March). Does this sound like child neglect? I visit her at least once a year, sometimes twice when I can get leave. I also call once a week.
Remember what I said about a stable life style? My daughter has been to two different school districts and moved no less than six times in the last 3-½ years. The EX remarried for about 9 months and then got divorced again. I believe this is causing my daughter to become very confused and I’m starting to re-think my original decision about not contesting custody. My Ex is also making it very difficult to contact my daughter. I’ve started a call log on my P/C in case it comes in handy if/when I have to use it in court. Last weekend I had to call twelve times just to get a hold of her and honestly I'm starting to get very frustrated.
I’ve spoken with the Military (been in 12 years, job stability established) about this. Apparently there are a lot of single parents serving their country and they will place me on a “hardship” program if I get custody of my child. Basically this means that I will be placed on a 9 to 5 schedule so I can time with my girl.
I guess my question is?
1. Do I have a good solid case against the EX to contest custody due to child neglect?
If I decide to start proceedings, I want to make sure I have enough to make a case. Any suggestions?
Thanks
I’ve been divorced since 1997 and gave my Ex wife custody of our little daughter. But on the fact that I’m in the Military, will be moving around on an average of once every four years plus I frequently stand 48-72 hour duty shifts at my station. I decided my daughter would have a more stable life living with her mom. We agreed on a certain amount for child support and split up all our assets. The divorce went un-contested and all was fine.
Over the last few years, I’ve discovered some disturbing information and am genuinely concerned for my daughter’s health and well-being. Two years ago I picked my daughter up in KY and we went to visit my parents in TX for a couple of weeks when she started complaining about a sore tooth. I took her to a local Dentist were we discovered that her teeth were in terrible shape. The Dentist had to do a pulpotomy, two crowns and two fillings (my girl was five at the time). I inquired the EX about this and she responded with “I don’t take her to the Dentist because I know you will when you pick her up”. I am responsible for maintaining medical/dental insurance for my daughter but I can’t take her for routine exams because of the distance between us. It was my assumption that I would pay and maintain her med/dentist insurance; The EX would make sure that she was scheduled for routine appointments. As far as I know, my daughter has only seen a doctor once, to get shots before school (she will be seven in March). Does this sound like child neglect? I visit her at least once a year, sometimes twice when I can get leave. I also call once a week.
Remember what I said about a stable life style? My daughter has been to two different school districts and moved no less than six times in the last 3-½ years. The EX remarried for about 9 months and then got divorced again. I believe this is causing my daughter to become very confused and I’m starting to re-think my original decision about not contesting custody. My Ex is also making it very difficult to contact my daughter. I’ve started a call log on my P/C in case it comes in handy if/when I have to use it in court. Last weekend I had to call twelve times just to get a hold of her and honestly I'm starting to get very frustrated.
I’ve spoken with the Military (been in 12 years, job stability established) about this. Apparently there are a lot of single parents serving their country and they will place me on a “hardship” program if I get custody of my child. Basically this means that I will be placed on a 9 to 5 schedule so I can time with my girl.
I guess my question is?
1. Do I have a good solid case against the EX to contest custody due to child neglect?
If I decide to start proceedings, I want to make sure I have enough to make a case. Any suggestions?
Thanks