My exhusband was awarded joint physical custody of my 3 year old son with the right to make the final decision upon disagreements. We live 45 miles apart and he stays one week with me and one week with his dad. My exhusband has had numerous arrest and DUIs leading into after my son was born. My son is sleeping on a couch and lives in a home with his dad, the dad's girlfriend, and the dad's cousin. I own my own home and live alone with my son. I have never been arrested or been in trouble illegally. My son has came home with bruises from spankings along with busted blood vessels from the severity of the spankings. This was all brought up in court. I also had a child psycologist on stand to testify of the damage this was doing to my son. Ever avenue I try to go down is a dead end! Please help me figure out how to get this arrangement modified and the steps I will need to take.

The courts don't want to see you back again for awhile ( at least 2 years) if you have just settled a case with them for custody unless there is a major change.

Did you have an attorney? Did your ex?

1. merely spanking in most courts is just a choice, esp in the more southern states, often considered a "good choice"

The leaving the bruises, do you take him to the doctor or ER to document this abuse.

But it is not a crooked judge, it is their view point, Often at most they will order a child parenting class for some things.

And has any of the DUI been with the child in the vechile ?

Joint custody is given most of the time unless there are serious issues, merely having a smaller home, that you don't owe or being poorer is not considered a bad parent