comments

[Jsmith674]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? pa my son is almost 14. his mother has asked the courts to give her more custody of him. today we have a pre trial hearing. this last week has been hell on my son. mom's boyfriend has confronted him a few times telling my son that he is miserable just like me and will grow up to be a loser like me. last night the boyfriend told him that they will have a police officer testify against him (i sent an officer out after not hearing from my son for a few days) and that i will lose all custody. he told my son that the officer agrees that the child acts just like me. i am not sure what to take of this since i've never met him. can he say these things about me to my child? isn't the comments of the police some type of intimidation? what can i do to help my child?

 

[Ohiogal]

Does your child have a GAL? If your child of average intelligence and maturity? Does your child want to speak in camera to the judge?

 

[Jsmith674]

i'm not sure whar a GAL is? yes, he is quite intelligent. he was on the distinguished honor roll last marking period in school. i have informed him that he may need to speek to the judge and he says that he wants to do that.

 

[Ohiogal]

i'm not sure whar a GAL is? yes, he is quite intelligent. he was on the distinguished honor roll last marking period in school. i have informed him that he may need to speek to the judge and he says that he wants to do that.

A GAL is someone who represents the best wishes of the child -- they are independent party who comes to court after conducting an investigation and determines who should have custody.

At your son's age he may be able to have an in camera interview but a GAL would be mroe beneficial to the court.