Q: How to do i get my chdren out of an abusive home?

A: I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma. You will need to consult with an attorney in your area to determine whether you have unwittingly undermined your claim by trying to present your claim without legal representation. Generally, whenever there is a motion to modify custody, you as the moving party have the burden to show that there has been a substantial change of circumstance since the time of the original award of custody. You must prove that the changed condition relates to your or Mother’s capacity to properly care for the child.

To qualify as a change of circumstances for custody modification purposes, events must be unanticipated and must have arisen since the last order. Once the moving party demonstrates a substantial change of circumstances, then court engages in the second step of the analysis--whether the modification is in the child's best interests.

ORS 107.137 governs child custody determinations, and provides, in part:

(1) In determining custody of a minor child, the court shall give primary consideration to the best interests and welfare of the child. In determining the best interests and welfare of the child, the court shall consider the following relevant factors:

(a) The emotional ties between the child and other family members;

(b) The interest of the parties in and attitude toward the child;

( c) The desirability of continuing an existing relationship;

(d) The abuse of one parent by the other;

(e) The preference for the primary caregiver of the child, if the caregiver is deemed fit by the court; and

(f) The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child.

ORS 107.137(2) provides, in part: “The best interests and welfare of the child in a custody matter shall not be determined by isolating any one of the relevant factors referred to in subsection (1) of this section, or any other relevant factor, and relying on it to the exclusion of other factors. However if a parent has committed abuse, as defined in ORS 107.705, there is a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interests and welfare of the child to award sole or joint custody of the child to the parent who committed the abuse.

Your claims involve abuse and neglect. It is urgent that you speak with an attorney to determine your best course of action.