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View Full Version : How can you change your custody so the father has no rights?


singlerdwith3
Jul 26, 2010, 09:16 AM
I am a single mother of 3 kids, that has had nothing but problems with my ex husband since we got divorced. He has visitation for 6 weeks in the summer for all 3 kids, ages 7, 5, and 3. They either come back with a broken bone, have been hit when they're with him, or the most recent is him scheduling surgery for the youngest without my consent. I can't seem to get any legal advice on how to change his rights. PLEASE HELP!

ScottGem
Jul 26, 2010, 09:19 AM
I suspect you have joint legal custody with you having primary physical custody. If you can show a pattern of abuse when the children are with him (and this means documented evidence) you should be able to get full legal custody. This would, at least, prevent him from scheduling surgeries without you.

Getting a Termination of Parental Rights will be much harder. You would have to show he is a clear and constant danger to the children.

Your best bet is consulting a local Family Law attorney to see what your chances are and how to prepare a case.

singlerdwith3
Jul 26, 2010, 09:35 AM
My biggest problem is the joint custody and he throws that in my face every time he has them. I have showed all past and present documentation to my lawyer and many other lawyers, and all I keep getting as an excue not to go any further is because they are unexplained injuries because of my kids being so young. Their father recently got diagnosed with bipolar and is currently on 6 different medications, his mood changes superfast for no reason at all. I just got off the phone with him screaming at me because my insurance company won't cover my child's surgery out of state. He is now refusing to give my kids back to me even though his visitation was up on Sunday.

stevetcg
Jul 26, 2010, 10:13 AM
If he hasn't returned the kids after his visit is over, get into court immediately and tell them.

ScottGem
Jul 26, 2010, 11:21 AM
Or you can go pick up the kids with a copy of the court order, if he refuses to turn them over, go to the police and ask them to accompany you back to the house. As long as you have a court order showing you are the custodial parent, he will have to turn them over.