What is the name of your state? TX
I am writing with some questions for a friend. He was newly married and had a 6 month old baby when he got papers saying that he was being taken to court for paternity of another 6 month old baby from a girl that he had a 1 night stand with just before he met his wife. She had previously taken her ex boyfriend to court over the matter and it was proven that he was NOT the father… this only left my friend. He is in fact the father, and has been in her life for the past 6 and a half years. The mother and custodial parent of the child decided over the summer to move to Chicago and take their daughter. He immediately went to an attorney to try to have the move stopped. The judge let her go temporarily until they go to court in Feb. They had mediation yesterday and nothing was resolved. They each pay half of the airfare for the 1 visit he receives with his daughter each month. Before, he had hr every other weekend. In order for her to come for these visits each month, she has to miss a day and a half of school and the father also has to miss almost 2 full days of work. (the judge ordered that visitation take place from Thursday-Sunday.) She already does terrible in school and in fact had to be held back in kindergarten this year.
My friend was told be the mediator that because he does not have joint managing conservatorship of the child, it is very unlikely that a restriction will be put in place to have her move back, or even state that she has to stay in the surrounding area she is in now, or the surrounding areas of her previous home. She will pretty much be free to move the child as many times and as far as she wishes. She also said that because of my friends past it is unlikely that he will be able to get Joint conservatorship. ( he received a deferred sentence for indecency with a child for having conssential (SP?) sex with a 16 year old girl who lied about her age and was in a bar that you had to be 18 to get in to when he was 20, 9 years ago.)
He feels that he is at a dead end and has already spent tons on attorneys fees since his beautiful daughter was brought into his life. He now is out $500 a month in order for him to see his child in addition to his child support. He called this morning and asked me when I felt that enough was enough and it would be time to give up all together on having any relationship with his daughter. I told him in my opinion… NEVER! This is putting a strain financially on his family (wife and 2 children), and he just feels that this can’t continue. His wife is super supportive and tells him not to give up but to keep fighting, she loves this little girl. His attorney told him if he wants to continue on to court in Feb. it will cost another $3000. I told him he has to do it! His attorney feels that he will be able to get the restriction in place preventing her from moving anywhere except back home even though the mediator said it is unlikely.
Should he go ahead to court, and is there ever a time to say enough? What are the chances that he will have any success? Does anyone know any advice or encouraging words that I can offer to this couple, my family’s dearest and closest friends? I know this was long… thanks to all who are still reading!
I am writing with some questions for a friend. He was newly married and had a 6 month old baby when he got papers saying that he was being taken to court for paternity of another 6 month old baby from a girl that he had a 1 night stand with just before he met his wife. She had previously taken her ex boyfriend to court over the matter and it was proven that he was NOT the father… this only left my friend. He is in fact the father, and has been in her life for the past 6 and a half years. The mother and custodial parent of the child decided over the summer to move to Chicago and take their daughter. He immediately went to an attorney to try to have the move stopped. The judge let her go temporarily until they go to court in Feb. They had mediation yesterday and nothing was resolved. They each pay half of the airfare for the 1 visit he receives with his daughter each month. Before, he had hr every other weekend. In order for her to come for these visits each month, she has to miss a day and a half of school and the father also has to miss almost 2 full days of work. (the judge ordered that visitation take place from Thursday-Sunday.) She already does terrible in school and in fact had to be held back in kindergarten this year.
My friend was told be the mediator that because he does not have joint managing conservatorship of the child, it is very unlikely that a restriction will be put in place to have her move back, or even state that she has to stay in the surrounding area she is in now, or the surrounding areas of her previous home. She will pretty much be free to move the child as many times and as far as she wishes. She also said that because of my friends past it is unlikely that he will be able to get Joint conservatorship. ( he received a deferred sentence for indecency with a child for having conssential (SP?) sex with a 16 year old girl who lied about her age and was in a bar that you had to be 18 to get in to when he was 20, 9 years ago.)
He feels that he is at a dead end and has already spent tons on attorneys fees since his beautiful daughter was brought into his life. He now is out $500 a month in order for him to see his child in addition to his child support. He called this morning and asked me when I felt that enough was enough and it would be time to give up all together on having any relationship with his daughter. I told him in my opinion… NEVER! This is putting a strain financially on his family (wife and 2 children), and he just feels that this can’t continue. His wife is super supportive and tells him not to give up but to keep fighting, she loves this little girl. His attorney told him if he wants to continue on to court in Feb. it will cost another $3000. I told him he has to do it! His attorney feels that he will be able to get the restriction in place preventing her from moving anywhere except back home even though the mediator said it is unlikely.
Should he go ahead to court, and is there ever a time to say enough? What are the chances that he will have any success? Does anyone know any advice or encouraging words that I can offer to this couple, my family’s dearest and closest friends? I know this was long… thanks to all who are still reading!