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GBayFam · May 21, 2012, 12:11 AM

This would be a custody case in the state of California. The father has two graduate degrees but lost his job about a year ago, has chronic alcohol and drug problems and is showing signs of mental instability. He has also been abusive, mostly verbal and psychological, but has lashed out physically and held his family captive for hours, almost 12 hours, at a time. He has paid no child support for over 8 months and does not provide any medical insurance for the children. At a court hearing last week, he didn't appear, but asked for a two day trial date. The court didn't not know that he was actually calling from a tent in the woods where he is now homeless after his latest girlfriend dropped him off and left him by the side of the road. When he did have a place for the children to visit, he spent much of the time passed out on the sofa and the children came home dirty saying that dad was sleeping. How can I let the courts know what is happening without sounding like I'm being vindictive? When he would appear, he'd keep asking for a trial date where he said he'd prove all kinds of wild accusations. In the beginning, I was open to shared custody, but now I don't even know this crazy person. He's living in the woods on drugs and telling people that he will go to law school and sue everyone who has been slandering him. I want to be free from this insanity. How do I protect myself and the children? How can I get custody?

cdad · May 21, 2012, 01:27 PM

Ask for a parental evaluation. Then go from there. It's a lot less then lawyer fees that will mount up disproving false claims.

Make sure that you ask for it in court papers.

GBayFam · May 21, 2012, 02:13 PM

Thank you! I just can't afford an attorney any more, and he didn't even speak up about the situation. He just said that it would cost $20,000 to prepare for the trial. I knew I needed some different direction, and this is exactly what I needed to know. I appreciate the post!

cdad · May 22, 2012, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by GBayFam

Thank you! I just can't afford an attorney any more, and he didn't even speak up about the situation. He just said that it would cost $20,000 to prepare for the trial. I knew I needed some different direction, and this is exactly what I needed to know. I appreciate the post!

Your welcome and welcome to AMHD.