My boyfriend and his child's mother had agreed that he would keep their child from March 18 until her return from vacation on March 27, due to concerns about the child's discomfort during long car rides. There was a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) that expired on March 4, facilitating a... View More

I am going through a divorce custody trial scheduled for May 23. I have three sons aged 18, 16, and 12. My ex recently failed a drug test for controlled substances and has been withholding the children and allegedly allowing them to participate in substance use. I tested positive only for THC on... View More

I am 17 and live in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the past year, my mother has not provided me with proper homeschooling, social interaction, help with life skills, or guidance in obtaining a job or state ID. Despite reporting this to CPS and the police, they sent me back to live with her as she has full... View More

I am seeking guidance on behalf of my client who gave a child up for adoption 10 years ago. Recently, the adoptive parents from Georgia returned the child to my client in Wyoming without any court action or formal agreement, and all communication about this was verbal. My client has welcomed the... View More

I'm currently involved in a contentious custody battle regarding my 8-year-old son, for whom I only have 3 hours of visitation every Saturday in Indiana. I've discovered an audio recorder in my son's backpack that was used to record our visits, which his mother denies initiating,... View More

Can dad add his extra summer days to Father’s Day weekend? We split summer visits by week for a 7day total and we can elect to add 3days to our week to make one 10day week. My week starts Friday at 6pm with me and then the following Friday at 6pm one week with dad. My week is June 13-20 with 3... View More

John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 4, 2025

It depends on what the language in the Decree says. There is no legal prohibition on him choosing to add those days to the end of his Father's Day weekend. So, if the Decree does not prohibit it and gives him the right to add three days, then I think he most likely could do so.

Are there any pro bono lawyers available to help me, a mother seeking visitation rights with my children in Hendersonville, TN? Although there is a parenting plan in place, the father has blocked my calls for about six months and only recently enforced child support after previously agreeing not... View More

I am considering filing charges of harassment and stalking against my ex-wife. She uses my daughter to keep tabs on me and becomes verbally abusive towards her when she doesn't comply, calling me a deadbeat and claiming I don't care for my kids. We are currently in the middle of a custody... View More

I have a shared 50/50 custody arrangement, but I'm currently under a safety plan due to an open DCF case. I believe my child's mother may be coaching them about what to say during therapy sessions, and they have been with her for over 14 days now. My child is 9 years old, and I want to... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Apr 3, 2025

Better to go to court or try and speak with the therapist before you deny the therapy. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

I'm currently in the process of modifying custody terms and dealing with issues related to non-payment of child support from my ex-partner. He was ruled in contempt twice, but recently received a year-long deferment for payments by misleading the court. Neither my lawyer nor I were notified or... View More

If a father was married when the child was conceived but divorced before the child was born in Georgia, is he still considered the legal father because he doesn't care about paternity and wants to see the child? The divorce decree did not mention the child as they were not born yet, and now... View More

I have shared custody over my two children, but they have been living with their mother, my ex, who moved to Missouri in 2021. For two years, I was able to exercise my parenting rights by flying them to Colorado until my ex cut off all contact. Recently, I’ve started communicating with my... View More

In Oklahoma, if my 17-year-old child has been issued an emergency order of detention while in the emergency room due to violent and aggressive behavior, fighting with me, and having a history of mental health issues and law enforcement involvement, do I, as the custodial parent, have to stay with... View More

I am currently 18 years old. My parent, who shares half custody with my father, previously threatened to report me for shoplifting when I was 17, using picture proof they had found, unless I avoided my friends and boyfriend and attended counseling. I've already started counseling and have... View More

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answered on Apr 3, 2025

Now that you're 18, your parent cannot legally compel you to follow their demands under threat of reporting a past incident. While shoplifting is a serious issue, using such threats to control your behavior could be considered emotional abuse or manipulation. Since you were a minor at the... View More

What are the legal options for my 17-year-old brother-in-law who has been living with my husband and me since June 2024 under a Power of Attorney (POA) due to his mother's alcohol issues? He wishes to live with his grandmother in New Mexico, and everyone has told us he can choose where he... View More

I currently have parental rights for my son, but his guardian recently passed away. I wish for my old foster mom, who already has custody and guardianship over my other son, to be the guardian of my son as well. However, my biological family, which includes the family of the deceased guardian,... View More

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answered on Apr 3, 2025

In California, to secure guardianship for your son after his previous guardian's passing, you need to continue pursuing the petition you've already filed with the probate court. This petition should clearly outline why your foster mother would be the most suitable guardian, emphasizing... View More

I am 16 years old and my parents are divorced. My father has 5% physical custody but 50% legal custody regarding decisions like school and medical care. I haven't spent time with my father in about five years, and I am scared of him. My mother is threatening to make me live with him because I... View More

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answered on Apr 3, 2025

Under California law, custody orders must be followed by both parents, but enforcement becomes complex when the child is 16 years old. If your father attempts to forcibly take you against the established 5% physical custody arrangement, you can contact law enforcement. However, police typically... View More

I have a restraining order against my son's father since 2018. During recent parenting time, my mentally disabled 9-year-old son was strangled, punched, and beaten. His grandmother, who supervises visits, claimed she did this while trying to get him in the car. I called the police and have... View More

Leonard R. Boyer Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You can certainly press criminal charges against both parties. Whether or not you can obtain a restraining order against the grandmother requires more facts. You may be able to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on your own. Then if you get the TRO, you will need to retain an experienced... View More

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I currently reside in Massachusetts, and my soon-to-be ex-wife, who lives in Connecticut, is planning a move to Utah with our child, where we intend to have 50/50 custody. We are considering using the Utah child support calculation worksheet, which estimates a payment of $100 per month from her to... View More