Q: How to obtain proof of standard possession after court-ordered anger management?
I have been representing myself in my divorce case. In November, the court determined that I was violent and I was given state-supervised visitation with my children until I completed an anger management course. After completing the course, I was supposed to receive standard possession. I submitted proof of completion to the court, which was acknowledged, and my wife and I began using standard possession. However, my children's school requires proof that I have satisfied the court's requirements for standard possession. I haven't received any official documentation from the court about this change, and I'm concerned that I might inadvertently be violating a court order. I called the court but didn't get any clear guidance. What steps should I take to obtain the necessary documentation to provide to the school?
A:
I am sorry you are dealing with this issue with your children's school, but happy that your possession periods with your children are now unsupervised.
You should start with a copy of the following documents: 1) your current court order and 2) your Certificate of Completion of your Anger Management Class.
Next, you should review a copy of your current court order regarding your possession and access schedule for your children. The court order should specifically state something to the effect that your visitation automatically changes to a Standard Possession schedule upon successful completion of the Anger Managment Course. If so, you should be able to take a copy of your court order (preferably with the relevant section highlighted) along with your Certificate of Completion to the school to show them 1) what the court order specifically states, and 2) that you've complied with the court order.
If the above steps do not satisfy the school, you should be able to file a Motion for Clarification of a Court Order with the Court and set it for a court hearing. At the hearing, you can explain to the Judge the issues you are facing with the school, and that you need an order that clarifies the portion of the court order that gives you a Standard Possession schedule after the anger management course. You should have a copy of the court order that you'd like the Judge to sign so that they can sign it right then. Hopefully that will satisfy the school's administration.
I hope this information helps. Good luck to you.
John Michael Frick agrees with this answer
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