phone calls to children

[teejay]

i live 600 miles from my children whom I have joint custody with ex. Can I be refused to talk to my children when I call? Refused because one of the "adults" thinks I said something about them (per their reasoning to me)

 

[MySonsMom]

Well, this is an iffy one. If there are no court ordered telphone contact orders, then the custodial parent can *get away* from allowing them to talk to you. Now, on the flip side. If you went to court to get this added to the decree, the judge will frown upon the interferance of the custodial parents actions regarding the denying of the calls. But in all reality, there isn't much you can do if it isn't court ordered. Since you live so far away, you may want to petition to have that added. Say once a week on Wednesdays, a phone call. Then you will be protected from the custodial parents interferance. Now this is if your *calls* are not constant... ie: Calling every day. Good luck!

 

[teejay]

thanks..i call between 1-2 times a week..his stepmother is going to prison next month so i think she's taking her frustration out...i have also driven 2 hours to pick up my son at an airport in which was not put on the flight and didn't receive a phone call or anything..we left our house at 6am and returned home at 11pm that night...very frustrating! i made the arrangements fully within the visitation agreement...i also gave notice (as per my agreement) to visit my home state and was told i could see my son anytime...once i got there, the anytime changed to very limited time... thanks for letting me vent

 

[MySonsMom]

TeeJay...Sounds like it's time for you to examine the situation that you are in with your X and your child. You have rights as a parent, and if your X is not allowing your court ordered visitation...There is something you can do. And ummm, the step Mother is going to prison? Ahh, I would be all on top of that...Examine what you want and need out of you and your childs life, and then decide if you need to seek legal council and get things straightened out. Just my opinion, but if I were you I would be pounding on IAAL's door right now. (Little inside joke, IAAL is an awesome attorney that donates his knowledge to this board) In other words, If I were you; I would have an attorney yesterday and start fighting for your rights as a parent and your rights for you child. Good luck!

 

[teejay]

thanks again..i'm kind of snake bitten when it comes to going to court. i'm on a limited income (my husband and i both pay child support-and that's another nightmare) but my ex was involved in his wife's dealing, but only got probation-due to him being an ex-cop with a clean record. I believe that still makes him a convicted felon-not sure. i fought for my son initially and lost (only because the judge ruled for my son's wishes-which i knew my son felt he wanted to stay with his father-he had just spent 5 weeks with him when we went to court-prior to that he wanted to stay with us) but it didn't work out as planned. alot of money and heartache later, i endure these situations as stated on my board as well as numerous others. do you know if my ex's "sentence" would have any bearing? p.s. his wife is being sentenced on another charge next week-different than the one she's going to prison on-rumor has it will be a concurrent sentence...?