Hi to all my friends, This is just a note to say that I may not be on for a while. Big day in court today about custody of my kids. As you may or may not know, I am in the middle of a fight for a change in custody. My ex has been alienating the kids from me and playing games with my visitation for four years now. Today in court the trial dates have been set and we are expecting expert testimony from psychologists to begin this coming Monday. I am going for full custody of my four kids. Any prayers that can be said would be greatly appreciated. I just want the emotional strain on my kids to stop and be the vehicle for their healing. Court dates are this coming Monday and then three dates in June. Obviously, I will be on between now and June, but I have a lot of work to do to prepare. Thanks in advance. Andy
Andy, Good luck-- listen to your lawyer(s) suggestions- they see what works in these cases-- trust them. We will all be rooting for you!
Andy I hope all goes well for you. I know those kids mean the world to you. Keep your head up, for all things good come to good people. Your 235 Engine Guy, Les
Good Luck, Andy Take a deep breather and like Glenn said listen to your lawyer while you walk thru the mine field.
You bet I will Andy! No doubt it will get even worse before it gets better- but one thing I'm sure of... You're the right man to B-B-Que her ass! Good luck- they'll be with you and will be happy for that. (As will all AD lovers around the globe, right?)
Andy, I will certainly join in and pray for you and your family. Just be on your toes cause you have her backed up against the wall now and it will probably get worse before it gets better. I just pray that the kids come through it as unscathed as possible. Gater
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, all i can say is keep you head and dont get into a bitchin match with her, keep your dignity and as your kids grow older they will come to realise who really loves them ________ Lesbian fisting
I Missed This Andy ; Having gone through this when I was a kid , I certainly hope it works out in your direction . Children are a precious gift , it floors me that some parents use them as pawns in nasty games . You know we're all pulling for you buddy ! .
First day of custody trial today. Expert testimony from court appointed therapist who really has the scoop on my ex. She laid it out for the judge. Now the judge has the scoop also. Testimony went great. It's a good day to be me. I testified briefly in the afternoon. Judge was astonished by the amount of documentation I brought up on the stand. When I started to get into it, he balked a little. didn't want me referring to my notes on every date my attorney asked me about. Told him I have meticulous records of all incidents and every date over the past two years. Opposing attorney freaked out. After brief counsel at the bench, I was directed to come back and finish testimony on another day and to condense the notes. Judge already gets that too much crap has happened to these kids. he wants an overview with a few selected incidents. GREAT. We'll save the most colorful ones for him and just give how many incidents happened total. good thing I didn't have to complete my testimony today. I was up finishing preparation on my notes until 2:30 am and wasn't the sharpest tack today. Even told my attorney that I really didn't want to testify today. Got my wish. Wish number one, that is. therapist isn't done yet either. Has been treating the ex since Feb of '05 and really knows what she is about. Actually it was a co-parenting therapy. I was involved also, but it was I who insisted the court mandateit because I know what a problem the ex is. Soooo, the therapist knows me too and I came out smelling like a rose. Don't like to count my chickens, but I'm looking forward to the next court dates in June. Andy
Hang in there Andy ~ you've got a lazy judge who doesn't want to do his job , this is common in family court . As I'm sure you know , the courts are extremely slanted to-wards the women so your careful documentaion is important , make sure it gets entered as evidence in case of appeal etc. . Keep a stiff upper lip you'll come out of this ahead and so will your kids . I'm -SO- lucky ! my ex and I had a good split as she didn't want to drag our son through the wringer like so many do just to " get " the other Spouse...
Way to go, Andy! Nate has a great point about the judge and the need to get all the evidence on record. If he won't allow it ALL, be sure to keep all the records cause it sounds like the ex would be the type to appeal just to break your chops. Good luck!
Great advise Nate and Glenn, All my notes will be entered as opposing attorney has demanded copies of my source documents. she has the right to them. she just didn't do her job and demand discovery before yesterday. good thing is that the law guardian (kids attorney) wants to hear it ALL. His voice has a lot of weight with the court and he ALSO knows what the ex is about. I'm sure it will all get in. I don't testify for at least another month. Remember, I went to graduate school so I know how to commit large volumes of data to rote memory. If the judge doesn't want me to refer to my notes on every date, I'll just MEMORIZE the whole damn thing. Working on it already. Andy
Good luck Andy,believe in God trough him all things are possible.Children make the world go around...
Word of caution, dont get too excited fella the law has a suprising little trick called kicking you in the b***s, just when you think you have it all going your way! wait for the fat lady to sing old boy, good luck ________ TEEN BRITISH
I wish you the best of luck,Chiro. I was in your position in 1982,thank goodness things went well for me. I know exactly what you are saying about the alienation factor. Hang in there!!!!!!!!
I got your back as well...... Andy, I'm father like your self. I totally understand, got 3 girls myself, but this is about you and yours. Stay hard on your attorny\ies, keep close tabs on him. Double check then ask again. Make sure they are doing exactly what needs to be done. Sometimes, we give tooo much trust to these lawyers, and things slip through. I'm sure you know, just please make sure they do too. Me and mine are also praying for you and your babies, we got your back Andy, good luck lazy and family
Andy, always remember this. The bonds you form with your kids can never be broken, no matter how much someone may try to undermine them. Your kids know the score. Just continue to love them and encourage them and they'll always know how great a dad you are. And remember, anyone can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a "DAD"!
Thanks everyone for your kind words, thoughts and prayers on this issue. It was another most excellent day in court today (if there even is such a thing?). More testimony by the court mandated co-parenting therapist which was completely in my favor. The kids attorney got very animated, practically jumping out of his seat to strongly make a point directly to the judge, pointing his finger and nearly shouting that "this is all about what's in the best interest of the kids. We need to stop tap-dancing around the issues and do what's right for the kids." The judge actually yelled at my ex's attorney at one point. He apologized and changed his tone immediately, but the outburst still happened which showed his obvious displeasure. All stuff that I have never seen in a courtroom before. Back in court all day tomorrow as well. To all my friends here, please if you have time tonight, say a prayer for my kids and for the quest I am on to spare them any more emotional damage. Thanks and God bless, Andy
Here's one coming at you from Texas! I've been hoping and praying for you for a long time now! When I saw your post, I got excited thinking you were going to say, "It's over, they are with their daddy, life is good, and on we go!" I'll pray tonight long and hard so that He can guide your fingers over the keyboard to type that very thing! Best of luck, my friend!!
