Dad seeking custody

shanx · August 21, 2014

My soon to be ex wife has really lost it. We are going through mediation for our separation, but recent actions by her has lead me to believe that a peaceful settlement is not possible.

Don't want to go crazy detailed about it here, long story short she is an adulterer; she is not emotionally stable, she is heavily medicated. She has a small part time job, with no prospects for full time employment.

I want custody of the two kids, I know the cards are stacked against me. I'm by no means perfect, but they will be much better off with me.

Do I have a chance in hell to get the kids?

Lord Helmet · August 25, 2014

I am not an attorney...but I went thru this scenario 15 years ago. I wish you luck. I got joint custody. Chin up.

esketores · August 25, 2014

Don't give up. Document. Document. Document.
And joint custody is better than visitation rights. Worst case scenario go for the primary custodial parent.
She'll go kicking and screaming.
Get the biggest %rick attorney to be found. You don't have to "like" the shark. You want to like the end results.
Take the gloves off.
There are organizations which can provide direction.

Then there is trusty old google for enlightenment and to help with understanding the row you are about to hoe...

[url="http://www.attorneys.com/child-custody/why-do-women-win-most-custody-battles/"]http://www.attorneys...ustody-battles/[/url]
[url="http://expertbeacon.com/fathers-will-win-child-custody-battles-if-children-are-priority-everyday-life/#.U_uqZMt0yM8"]http://expertbeacon....e/#.U_uqZMt0yM8[/url]
[url="http://www.wikihow.com/Win-a-Custody-Battle"]http://www.wikihow.c...-Custody-Battle[/url]
[url="http://www.divorcesaloon.com/2014/07/11/fathers-rights-5-tips-for-fathers-who-want-to-win-custody-of-their-children-after-a-divorce/"]http://www.divorcesa...fter-a-divorce/[/url]

shanx · August 26, 2014

Thanks Y'all!

cali-golfin · October 17, 2014

You need to prove with out a doubt that the child/children will be better off with you. You need to start getting letters of recommendation, financial proof, what ever you can get your hands on from friends,family,associates, etc that can vouch for your character and prove to the judge that your a more suitable parent and can provide without a doubt, more then her. Best of luck Brotha. It also helps if he/she spends more time with you and you pay for most/a lot of his or her needs. Hope this helps.

atlambert2 · October 19, 2014

best of luck. hope it all works out for ya

HackerVance · November 19, 2014

The best interest of the children is the primary consideration. Anything that you can use to show that her actions are detrimental to these best interests will help. The courts don't seem to care much about adultery anymore unless it directly affects the children. The mental illness is something that is important to look at closely i.e. the type of illness, whether it's being successfully treated, how it might affect the children etc. You need to show that you have been a significant caregiver for the children and that you are more stable financially and otherwise. As has already been mentioned, document everything.

DevilDog · November 20, 2014

I got custody of my son. It was a friggin' battle too. The courts tend to side with the mom and then the mom kept lying through her teeth about her drinking and drug abuse. She also was screwing around too. Fortunately, I had date stamped clandestine video of her. Thing is, all she really wanted was the child support money because once I got custody she hasn't seen her own child, he's now 10, in 7 years but twice and hasn't at all in the last 3. I hope you can win OP and if you do be ready to get the kid some counseling. Nothing worse for a child's pschye than a crappy mom.

3.1k · July 29, 2015

I guess I was the lucky one.

I got joint custody of our son. 50/50.
We agreed that this was best for our kid. Money was not a factor.

aknow · August 4, 2018

My soon to be ex wife has really lost it. We are going through mediation for our separation, but recent actions by her has lead me to believe that a peaceful settlement is not possible.

Don't want to go crazy detailed about it here, long story short she is an adulterer; she is not emotionally stable, she is heavily medicated. She has a small part time job, with no prospects for full time employment.

I want custody of the two kids, I know the cards are stacked against me. I'm by no means perfect, but they will be much better off with me.

Do I have a chance in hell to get the kids?

If you were in California, no way. I am not sure about New York, but going to (mis-named) family court, was by far the Worst experience of my life. Good luck, and don't badmouth the b**** when you've got your kids.