What is the name of your state? Arizona
For the past 5 years, the father of my kids has completely disregarded all aspects of our consent decree. He has never exercised more than one-third of his parenting time, usually much less. He tells my son he is coming, then fails to show or call- or makes me give him cash to show up. (he earns six self employment figures, I am waiting for spine surgery,, living on 800 a month w two kids). My son is crushed over and over by dad's no shows. My 9 year old daughter has been pleading for her own lawyer so that she can completely stop seeing her dad. He has done numerous things that are abusive physically to kids, screams at her for days about what horrid people her mom and grandparents are, dmashes objects nearher head when angry with me. He has bragged that he can still "F*&k with you through your kids", as a form of control. Orders say we have joint custody but spell out my final word on everything- education, religion, medical care, etc. My kids have been beaten up by older children when dad left them at his drug dealing brother's house on his weekend. He rarely sees kids, and ignores my 6 year old son to antagonize my daughter- who says he does not let her sleep when she is at his place. I have consulted shrinks and counselors- they say that in some cases NO dad is preferable to a really really awful one. I cannot consult an attorney--I still owe 8000 from 2003. Should I ask for sole custody and PT that is consistent with what has been used? Do I support my daughter in asking to never see her dad again? What do I do about my boy- who adores his dad- stop the damage that is being done by his dad's disregard for him-- or stay out of the way of the crappy minimal relationship he barely has with his father? I love my kids more than anything and I want what is best for them- Since I am really the only parent, do I risk my son resenting me for keeping him fromhis dad? And does my daughter have a chance of being heard by a judge, with supporting evidence and police reports, and stopping her visits with a man she cannot stand and refuses to acknowledge as her parent? My heart breaks for both of them.
For the past 5 years, the father of my kids has completely disregarded all aspects of our consent decree. He has never exercised more than one-third of his parenting time, usually much less. He tells my son he is coming, then fails to show or call- or makes me give him cash to show up. (he earns six self employment figures, I am waiting for spine surgery,, living on 800 a month w two kids). My son is crushed over and over by dad's no shows. My 9 year old daughter has been pleading for her own lawyer so that she can completely stop seeing her dad. He has done numerous things that are abusive physically to kids, screams at her for days about what horrid people her mom and grandparents are, dmashes objects nearher head when angry with me. He has bragged that he can still "F*&k with you through your kids", as a form of control. Orders say we have joint custody but spell out my final word on everything- education, religion, medical care, etc. My kids have been beaten up by older children when dad left them at his drug dealing brother's house on his weekend. He rarely sees kids, and ignores my 6 year old son to antagonize my daughter- who says he does not let her sleep when she is at his place. I have consulted shrinks and counselors- they say that in some cases NO dad is preferable to a really really awful one. I cannot consult an attorney--I still owe 8000 from 2003. Should I ask for sole custody and PT that is consistent with what has been used? Do I support my daughter in asking to never see her dad again? What do I do about my boy- who adores his dad- stop the damage that is being done by his dad's disregard for him-- or stay out of the way of the crappy minimal relationship he barely has with his father? I love my kids more than anything and I want what is best for them- Since I am really the only parent, do I risk my son resenting me for keeping him fromhis dad? And does my daughter have a chance of being heard by a judge, with supporting evidence and police reports, and stopping her visits with a man she cannot stand and refuses to acknowledge as her parent? My heart breaks for both of them.
