Q: I missed mediation and one initial status conference, if I miss the next initial status conference, what can happen?
My son's father took him and isn't allowing me to speak to him or see him, he filed for temporary full custody. I went to the first initial status conference, but I missed the second, and I missed mediation, I also am not planning on going to the one today, I am giving up, it's been 4 months without him and i don't think I can stomach being told no again. I'm a mess. He's asking for very tough actions to be taken by me that are nearly impossible to juggle with everyday life already, and I do not agree with his parenting plan. What can happen if I don't go, do I loose my son forever? Will they take away my parental rights? Can I start my own case?
A: If this is just a custody or divorce case between 2 parties, your parenting rights cannot/will not be terminated. They can be terminated in an adoption or social services case. You cannot start your own case, as this will be the case in which custody and visitation are decided. If you choose to not participate, the court will enter the orders he wants tied into visitation and custody. You will always have the option to seek to modify the orders up until the child turns 18. However, failing to deal with this now could affect outcomes down the road and there are differing standards for modifying parenting time, primary residential custody, and decision-making. You should consider consulting with a family law attorney.
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