With concerns of my child’s well being and knowing my ex would not stop getting high with him in the room with her all day. I had a follicle test done that shows steady thc exposure for 3 months. I had a lab done on myself to show I’m clear of any substances and would be for any future tests as well. Will this be enough to gain primary custody of my son for his safety? His mother continually shows she doesnt care about this concern and continues to be selfish and expose my son daily to drugs. I’ve even walked in on her blowing a bong hit towards him while he stood 4 ft infront of her around the time I kicked her out of the home.

Firstly I just want to say I’m really proud of myself that despite all of the emotional turmoil and literal “beatings” I got this year, I came out with a positive mindset and am in the best physical shape ever.

Inhale

But my life emotionally is a mess. My ex wife and I have been battling over custody since April of this year. I thought I had a fighting chance considering I had a clear record, no drugs, I have a mental illness (C-PTSD) but I go to therapy (originally once a week, but it’s in remission to once a month.) Still the family court removed my right to custody over my 4 year old daughter. I was asking for partial custody.

It’s actually a long story, but what really damned me was how my ex used my daughter to manipulate me into coming onto her property. She said I was going to be able to give my daughter a kiss and a hug and that was all. Then we’d go our separate ways. Well she trapped me. Got a protective order that’s now in final status for up to a year (July 2025).

Now the custody order supersedes this, and I’m allowed 2 therapeutic visitations for two weeks (rest are supervised) like I’m some violent criminal. I wasn’t able to afford a lawyer as I was homeless (I now live in a house and have a good full time job) and no lawyer wants to work with me pro bono due to the protection order. I live in the state of Maryland and I’m being treated like a second class citizen. All because I couldn’t handle my ex smoking weed and drinking alcohol and being an overall abusive asshole to me and my daughter. I’m out of options as the ruling’s proposed order is likely going to go into effect. I wanted to modify it or add my exceptions but it might be too late and the transcripts REQUIRED to even file exceptions are like $1,300. And I don’t have much money as I need it to survive where I’m living. Also most attorneys are demanding $5000+ to even just enter into the case at this point.

I’m losing the will in this fight. I’m also curious if during therapeutic visitations if my daughter says anything in regard to abuse she’s had from her mother, whether that can change things. I’m not sure. I’ve never been through these things and I need help. Anybody.

Hair follicle test; in December of 2023 I was ordered to take a hair follicle test because of allegations made by my ex. I went to the place I was directed to go by DCS. A couple weeks passed before the results came back as positive for methamphetamine. I pleaded with everyone involved, by telling them that I didn’t and hadn’t used this drug but I was met with criticism as well as having my daughter removed from my custody. After almost a year and 3 total visitations with my daughter I finally got a clean hair follicle test and got my visitations back. I also had started working with DCS as I had previously been at odds especially after finding out my daughter had been abused and bullied by teachers at the school she had been enrolled into by DCS. There was apparently hours upon hours and these abuses had transpired over a period of 3-4 months as I was told of these abuse allegations made and videoed by a teachers aid. Just recently I received my results from a new hair test that showed I was positive for methamphetamine again except this time my medication that I am prescribed and have been taking for more than 4-5 years now did not show up. This was very unusual as the medication is Aderall (amphetamine) and the methamphetamine was at 16,000 ng, which they said was very high. I do not and have not been using methamphetamine but I have consistently taken my Aderall. What is going on? I don’t what to do. They are taking my visitation away again and I can’t see my baby girl who me I love more than anything in this world. I have done everything in my power to prove I am not this person they believe I am. I bought her all these really nice winter cloths that I know she will love. I have so many stuffed animals and things she likes and wanted to see her get excited when I was to see her in a couple of days. How is this happening to us?

I have a daughter that's 2 years old and me and my fiance live in a full size and functional camper on her families property. I know they can't take my child for living in a camper but my ex and I have a 5 year old son and she took off when he was born and didn't tell me he was born so I am not on the birth certificate. But DCF out of Manchester reached out to me saying they have him in custody. They want to do a DNA test make sure I'm his father then talk about me taking him into custody. My concern is will they allow me to take custody while living in a camper on family property? I have heat hot water electric plumbing food and all that. Just afraid because it's not a apartment they won't give me custody. We do spend the day inside her families gouse most times during the day. Mainly just sleep in the camper. It's also a big camper with pop puts and all that. Plenty of room for my kids to play and have toys and beds etc.

I can't get the mf to even answer when he'll be at his office to take my F money. I have 5k in hand, he's got the best reviews, and he's is very occasionally answering via text. He told me "we can meet tomorrow if you like. Or next week" referring to meeting Sunday THEN DOESN'T RESPOND. He said he'd be happy to help me, then gets more flakey than a pastry.

I've called every family practice lawyer in my area MAYBE 4 called me back. The second best one was on the phone with me and idk if it disconnected or they lost signal, they said they were on the road. But it's been 2 weeks and they never called back. And their secretary said they call back in 24 hours.

I don't feel very confident about giving 5k plus to someone who's talking to me less than the person I'm battling in court.... they have me worried I'm just going to lose this case. It should be a strong case. She's preventing any contact without any kind of custody agreement issues by a court.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?! WHY WON'T ANYONE TALK TO ME?! WHY WON'T THIS DUDE TAKE MY MONEY OR SAY HE DOESN'T WANT THE CASE?!

Long story short, my ex wife and I had a child in Colorado. She dragged the family out to Tucson Arizona to be closer to her own grandparents. Things in our relationship got so bad, it was terrifying. Being isolated and alone I had to live in the same house during separation. She began to accuse me of things, like trying to poison her or plot her murder. She called the cops on me several times. Not once did I go to jail, and I have 0 charges. I tried getting my own place but could not get approved. In a result, in a panic for my own safety, I abandoned my post as a father and fled the state, with Colorado being the only place I had support. We’ve gone to trail a few times. I managed to get a judge to approve 3 weeks on 3 weeks off for custody. She managed to bring an end to that with lies. Now I have not seen my son in almost 9 months except for court ordered video calls. My first thought was to go back to Tucson now that I am somewhat back on my feet. However there is the fear of what she is capable of, and the fear of being able to support him. Should I go back or stay in Colorado and fight for custody of him while he’s not in school? Is it better to be a long distance vacation dad because I know I am more financially stable in Colorado? Or go back to Tucson where I am not sure how much money I will be able to make and what she could try and do to me?

My bf has been fighting a losing battle. He has lost all rights to his kids, the mother accused him of being abusive in the past and that she’s “scared of him” and with absolutely no proof of any kind, was rewarded a protection order. Just recently he was stripped of all rights, she was made custodial parent and he’s only allowed to see them during weekend days. He went from having them all the time and being their main caregiver, to a weekend babysitter. The justice system is a complete failure, his lawyer has done absolutely nothing but ask for more money but has had us do all the heavy lifting. Every time we get the kids we hear all of the horror stories from them on how she keeps saying “your father hates you” and “he only wants you overnight so he can kill you” what kind of a mother does that?! And yet she’s the better parent! Is there anything we can do? He is at his wits end

My 6 month pregnant girlfriend has decided to leave me. I've been to every doctor visit with her, we share a lease, but she lives mostly with her parents in a different state. She has split custody with her ex in a neighboring state. Can I get a paternity test and would that enable me to be at the birth? I fear she is going to try to prevent my presence. What sort of rights do I have as a father before the actual birth?

This happened on Sunday. I asked the mother to meet up to do the exchange at 530. She told me 430. Shortly after she told me child is being nasty and spitting at her. I video called her to see what's going on. Mom ignores my call and says not to call and that she will handle it. I assume it was another disagreement between mom and daughter. Therapist told mom not to contact me when these things happen so she can be more responsible parent.

Went to the shower to get ready. Left my phone in the other room. Vent fan so loud I can't hear my phone. Finish my business and go check my phone. Apparently mom blew up my phone with text messages expressing her anger with the situation then when I didn't respond fast enough, she stated she was coming to the town house.

I'm like wtf? Checked the cameras and there is my daughter standing outside of my door with mom in her car outside of the house. Mom abandoned the marital residence and took 80 percent of the property with her. Daughter was traumatized by this.

Came out and had my phone recording audio and made sure the outdoor camera recorded what was happening as well. Daughter ran to me terrified and said let's go inside I'm scared. Inside I was pisssed but stayed calm outside for my daughter.

Mom said ask your daughter and I was like no I am asking you. She then told me that daughter is being mean and nasty to her. Daughter begged me to get inside after she told mom she wasn't welcomed here.

Went inside and mom screeched her tires leaving the area. About 20 mins later she texted me asking if daughter is alright and that she needs to tell her side of the story. I didn't answer because I was tending to my daughter's situation to try to calm her down.

Daughter told me the truth. Mom was acting mean and yelling at her. There was physical altercation between them where she took her blanket and threw it on top of the fridge.

When she was calm I talked to mom over video. Mom claimed that she daughter was acting like a brat. I told mom that she needs to show better restraint and reminded her that the tablet has been identified as the issue that triggers bad behaviors yet continues to give it to her. I talked to her in a calm fashion.

I told mom she will talk to you later when she is fully calm. Later daughter stated she didn't want to talk to mom. I respected her wishes.

I reviewed the camera footage and saw my daughter ran out of the car and banged on the door screaming for me and calling out for help. Mom just backed off and acting like nothing was wrong being done. My daughter was terrified and holding on to her blanket. She was seen kicking stbxw car and telling her to leave.

Apparently mom emailed daughter's therapist and told her version of what happened but never told me. Daughter's Therapist brushed it off.

I recorded everything from what happened infront of house to my daughter's statement of what happened.

I almost called CPS on my stbxw but pretty sure they wouldn't do anything. Two days later she sees mom and everything is fine between them.

I really thought about filing for temporary custody but my lawyer just told me she's withdrawaling from my case because I complained about her over charging during my discovery submission.

Hi my ex gf is always making false s.a claims about my child but denies it to my face on the parent app and says she knows I can be trusted and that it was my 4 year old child that did it.What can I do about this? She put my daughter through an examination for nothing! That must have been traumatic for her. She's four years old. How could a mother do this? How can I get my children to safety? She has both of my daughters. By the way the examination showed nothing happened because nothing did! CPS informed me but she's denied making that allegation and is putting it on my daughter. CPS said my daughter told them. She's 💯 coaching my daughter while I'm away in deployment. She's been doing this since I got married.

I am and active duty service member. I had a child out of wedlock with a girl I was hooking up with. After 3 years of back and forth I finally decided that we will never have an amicable relationship. I am finally in a stable physical position ( My last base kept pushing my PCS date back and I never knew how long I was actually going to be there) and a decent financial position were I feel comfortable enough to file with the courts for joint custody/ visitation. She is extremely high conflict - I am filling out court documents and she has declined to give me her and my child's current physical address which I need in order to answer question 3 on the custody complaint form. Is there anything I can do ?

Important notes:

I am not on the birth certificate I was deployed when the baby was born. She has declined to add me to the birth certificate via a notarized affidavit 2x - Parentage has not been established ( yes i am planning on asking for a paternity test through the court)

I am not on child support. I currently send a little under $500 a month for 'child support' - should I continue to do this? should I stop sending money until there is a court order ?

I have her former physical address and current mailing address (they are the same)

already looked up voter registration records and she has not updated her address

submitting a form USPS but i don't think the has changed mailing address as she still receives her mail at her parents/ former house

We live in different states and I am unsure how a custody plan would work. If anyone has experience with custody plans with long distance parents I would appreciate any input.

So she's refused to let me see him for almost 2 months now. I've filed for custody and am waiting on a court date. I filed for a guardian atlitum. She has said her "legal council" advised her not to allow any contact. When I pressed the issue, she said MAYBE a couple video calls. I kept pressing the issue saying it would be brought up in court and she offers a single 24 hour visit on a night I work, and only if we stay at my moms and I "explicitly agree" to everything she texted.

I think she's realized that she has screwed up, and is trying to scapegoat it by getting me to agree to lessened visitation. I think she's read somewhere that text is legally enforceable in VA. I think she doesn't have a lawyer of any kind. She wouldn't hire one then not file for custody, she wouldn't hire one in her county if she didn't file custody because it'd be a waste of money when I file here, and I highly doubt she got one in our home county especially not just to get legal advice with not filing custody papers.

She filed a false EPO to have my first filing kicked out, immediately dissolved it as soon as we sat down in the court room telling the judge "i thought it would give me custody, but i want my stuff back so i want to drop it". She leans over to my mom on the way out the court room and says "you didn't have to F-ing block me , you could have F-ing called him". Her filing it prevents us from going to mediation AT ALL. So evidently she has no clue what an EPO does.

I want to see my son, but I don't want to agree to her 24 hour terms. If I don't give him back she'll use it as a binding agreement. If I can't get an EPO or something to be legally able to keep him, it looks bad. If I manage to keep him I'm afraid it will look like I'm doing the same thing as her.

She's had erratic behavior. One minute she's happy then next she's mad the next she's sad. She threw a steel coffee cup at me for asking her to not take our 13 month old 5 hours away and leave him in a hotel room with her mom's BF who's made sexual passes at her, so she can go party at a rap concert with her mom. She's disappeared every weekend of September. Cut contact for 2 days and calls from NC (no city named) after the concert. Cuts contact 2 more days and calls from myrtle beach SC. At this point a 9 hour drive.

She comes back and her gums are green. She is up and down. Like one minute she cares about me the next she's yelling. It ends with Sept 29th she asks me to take her to an antique mall. I buy Starbucks, I buy her stuff at the mall, I buy her Chinese food, and her groceries. We get home and I say "your pants are splitting in the back" and she goes ballistic. "Don't be checking me out" blah blah blah. It ends with her saying she has no feelings and never will. That I need to stay single and focus on him. That she doesn't regret him but regrets me. I get to work and she argues from 8pm to almost 2am. Eventually saying she never had feelings for me the entire relationship.

I go home at 6am, and wake up at 930 and she's gone. House is trashed, she threw her lock box across the room, left her birth certificate out. Won't answer the phone. Eventually answers for my mom.

She tells her, "we had a fight, I'm giving him some time to cool off". She waits until Monday afternoon to file the EPO. Saying I said stuff like not wanting to be alive, not caring about him, that i cant feed him because hes breast fed, and that she's noticed a mental decline. The head of cps and our pediatrician said the milk thing is BS.

At this point I saw him maybe 20 hours all September because I work 10 hour days then come home and clean up her trash food diapers and dirty clothes off the floor for 3 hours, 6 days a week. Then I cut fire wood for family on Sundays. She disappeared every weekend. Who isn't gonna feel sad when cut off from their kid???

It's been 26 days ZERO contact with him. I've seen him on video but they make no effort to get him to look at me. He's always fussy. IDK what to do.

Hiring a lawyer but it's tough picking one. It feels like chess with a bad opponent but I could still mess up and give them the game... she doesn't want to work, said if she has to pay rent it's not feasible to live here. She wants to be treated like a teen at her mom's, no job, had the baby to them and go do what she wants. She's really paranoid. Like REALLY. Saying my family is out to get her trying to ruin her life. Saying she has never seen me take care of him and doesn't believe I can, I have taken parenting and co parent classes, active dad classes. I watched him alone for weeks at a time the first time we tried to have a custody battle. I feel like she's lost it, maybe not on drugs, but definitely not stable.

Please help

We had a court date for child support but couldn't agree on a schedule so they pushed it. Later that day we agreed on 50/50 and we took it back to the child support office, we wrote out a paper and I signed it that day. She waited a few days to sign it but eventually did. She is not saying I can't pick him up on the day that we agreed on because I can't buy him a box of diapers for her house. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do about it because I don't know if I have legal custody or not.

Update - we spoke to the child support case worker and she said that it was legal and if she withholds him we need to contact the police & get a lawyer involved.

Looking for some advice for my friend (m28) Tdlr is friend (dad) gf(mom) took 4 month son back home of Idaho They got court meeting He got attorney I helped him see if she left email signed on his pc they share and she did leave it sign in found the plan of her mom and the attorneys plan

He's worried about using that as evidence cause he doesn't know if it's legal or not. Which they shared the pc and ain't like he did anything illegal So need advice on that I think he can use it and or just discuss it cause he should have attorney client privileges

He was at work Monday and his gf (f24?) I guess ex now, went to Idaho and was on the flight when he got the serve call from the lawyer.

He made sure to not blow her phone up with anything rash just I love you and we can work this out.

He's a genuine good guy who at 28 successful ex marine with alot of constructions and certs under his belt. Never yells, goes to church regularly , made friend in community of church or construction or really anywhere he goes he makes friends.

The ex gf from the info I've been told with the few years theyv been together they She quit college stuff Works almost minimum or just alittle above minimum jobs so she could go to college but then for some reason when it came to the test just quit. She was in abusive relationship with some one in the past and when they dating she was living at her mom's who was super controlling AF. And been a problem since the begging

But he's been patient and trying to give her the control to take responsibility of her life and nudge her gently to taking back her with love and care. When the moved to california cause he wanted to move to cali for better construction job and titles She joined in

Eventually few short months they ended up knocking her up

Now when they close to having the baby and did a baby shower the mom came in And apparently causing ill kinds of havoc which he got the recordings and text and was gonna setup a protection order if she didn't stop. During the time of the move to california They've talked extensively bout child care where they wanna live and how they wanna live.

They live in a big 5th wheel trailer on friend dad property that like 36ft or so but they were saving to go into huge rv. There was talk on going to buy a house at mobile home but the gf didn't wanna do that Preferred being next to the house with farm animals and nice house his dad has I've gone to visit and have to say it very nice trailer , he fixed it up to code cause he thought he was going to park and so he could save money fast to invest into a actual house and such

During this time the gf During the entire time out there Spent alot of her money on useless stuff like Starbucks and other stuff. When it came to responsibility and him holding her accountable she throw a huff And when I talked to him bout it But he said Well I was gonna until I found out she pregnant So instead I focused on channeling loving her like a queen

Very traditional man what I'm describing

So 4 months from there to now.3 days straight she initiated sex and they being lovey dovey, next day monday, she said hey we gotta cancel the pre marital today before He goes to work, wasn't to happy bout the suddenness but said alright. This is meat of the bones now that the info been laid out

He goes to work, gets a call bout gf leaving with his son to Idaho now. Like she's on the plane gonna land in Idaho now.

He obviously blindsided It states ALOT of false accusations Out of all them Only 2 could be true.

He admits Yes he felled down on his bikes Yes he yelled at her once recently but the reason was The baby screeching for 5 minutes and because the recent motorcycle crash his hands are casted and bandage. He can't help pick up the kid cause that She wasn't doing anything and he was working at home that day.

Anyway

So last night while talking to him he mentions her laptops here. I said go through it see if u can log in

Turns out he knows the code to get into it. But couldn't sign in

BUT COULD on his gaming desktop since they used to use it so regularly.

She left the sign in on that desktop.

So anyway.

Turns out she been planning this 3 MONTHS Her mom and his gf been talking and I guess setting this up for months with there plans and some texts from her being nasty.

So he was told he had Wednesday for the meeting so I guess tommorrow of this post.

He got attorney from paralegal he knows and been under and it also happens to be a shark of attorney and told him the situation of things but didn't disclose the email yet.

And talking to him he thinks he shouldn't cause the attorney could disclose cause they'll ask bout this and their plans

Turns out also She violated her own court order She wasn't suppose to take the son out of state and was suppose to let him know where his son was suppose to be

And because it california Cali is father state and a usual garrentee , keyword usual, 50-50

And 50-50 is 3 days here at dad's then mom's So she have to live in state near him So the case maybe strong for him Also he got all the witness and people that can attest.

THIS IS THE PART I NEED ADVICE FOR HIM

He doesn't wanna disclose the email.

He kinda hiding what some his intentions of wanting to reopen the case if he can get them to agree about 6 months staying with him

Now I think the attorney fix some But he's worried about the email and if he can use that against them It's pretty big evidence And not to mention I think he should go for the laptop he bought and gave her Cause she definitely not smart enough to know the info of texts and her mom are still on there.

My son’s mother has ALWAYS been a terrible person. She has kept him from a relationship with me his entire life until I finally filed for my rights to him. I currently have every Wednesday and every other Wednesday-Sunday. This is not a parenting plan. This is just a stipulation until we go to a final trial. My family goes to church every wed and Sunday. My son has the opportunity to be a part of a Christmas play that the kids church is putting on. He will be with me on Wednesdays which is when they will be practicing (every Wednesday instead of normal church service, it will be practicing for the play/dress rehearsal). They will practice until December 15th the day of the play. However, unfortunately, his mother has him for the actual Sunday that the play will be held. It is her time with him. His mother is already refusing to allow him to show up to the actual play. How can I let my son practice for a play he thinks he’s going to be in and then she ultimately break his heart when he doesn’t get to be in the play due to her bitterness. He is 7 years old. I have a custody lawyer. What can I do/ask for? TYIA!!

She pressed a falsified EPO on me. She immediately dissolved it the moment we got to court. She realized she could get in trouble because she's heavily contradicted herself. She also did it to get my request for a meeting to file custody knocked out. I've since filed and am waiting on a court date. But her filing the EPO completely removed the possibility of going to mediation.

I'm afraid even if its dissolved, it will affect how I'm seen. I can prove almost all of it is a lie through her texts and documents from cps and the pediatrician that prove she lied about his diet.

Can I even file against her, like for malicious defamation? Will it help at all if I can? How do I do it if I can? Please help

So me and my husband have had our daughter for half of her life. He was recently jailed and unsure when he will be released at this moment. Me and him are married. We currently have no custody order through the court for our daughter, but have had her 100% of the time with no financial support and very minimal visits from bio parent(less than once a year). Can she be taken from me while he's away? She has everything she's ever known here. School, siblings, us who raised her. I'm afraid that, her, her siblings, and I will all be traumatized from her being taken from us. Help!

Why is our justice system so ass backwards?! They don’t help you for anything. Just because I’m a father trying to get custody due to my baby mom abusing my kids doesn’t mean I’m lying !!! Like wtf would I lie for ?! My children came to me for help !!! But the judge says we’re just two parents fighting over custody like really wtf !!!!!!!!

Hi guys, so my brother needs some legal advice. So he has 3 kids with his now wife (they’ve been married for just over a yr but been together for the last 12yrs and had all 3 kids before marriage).

When they had the oldest Kim(wife/mom) was told by the gov that she had to file for full custody since they weren’t living together nor married then. Since then she’s had full custody of all 3, Todd (husband/father) is on all their birth certificates and there’s no denying they’re his kids with the fact they all have his family smile and ears.

Well since being married for under a yr Kim has done everything to ruin their marriage and at this point they are separated(not legally divorced yet) and Todd wants her out of the house with her behavior she’s been having towards him and the kids but he thinks because she had full custody she can take the kids and just leave and he can’t do anything about it.

But shouldn’t kims full custody go out the window the minute they got married? Does he have a fighting chance to keep the kids?

Also if it’ll help his case, she doesn’t drive, so the minute she’s kicked out she’ll lose her job and run to her mothers (who will end up being the sole care taker of those kids). They would also be taken out of the school they go to and lose the friends they’ve made (her mother lives two hrs away from them), as well as be taken away from most their fathers side (everyone on his family side all live within 5-30 mins from each other and see each other on a weekly basis unlike the mothers side who they see maybe once a yr because they don’t want to make the drive out. Todd is the one who has to drive the kids to Kim’s family just for them to see each other).

I need to write a character witness statement for my friend who is in a custody battle. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏

What are the steps to take to come to a custody agreement outside of court (not married) For example what documents do I need? Do I have to obtain documents directly from the court or can I make my own? How should they be notarized? Do we have to use a mediator ? How do we file our documents? If we agree to an amount of child support do I still need to provide my income to the judge ?

Do any of you have experience in NJ you care to share? I feel like the Bergen County family court is failing me and my children.

My wife sneakily ran off with my kids in April. In NJ you have to file for divorce to get a docket number in order to file an order to show cause/emergent custody hearing. I completed that in May and have since got my kids every other weekend and every Weds overnight.

I feel like if I did that I would have caught a criminal charge. I feel like if I conducted myself the way my future ex has throughout these proceedings I'd be viewed as a dead beat and have my time further restricted. Examples of her conduct: just refusing to bring them to school because she doesn't want to make the commute; sending then to school in dirty clothes; stealing things from the home at the onset of these proceedings when she would still come here while I was at work.

I've had 4 court appearances thus far and neither I nor the defendant has gotten to speak a single word to the court. Just lawyers yelling over each other. Her arguments are so hypocritical it's maddening. The court has a plainly obvious bias to prefer women.

I'm doing my best to maintain my mental fortitude and understanding it is a long game, but I'm increasingly frustrated.

My cousins husband has shared custody with his daughter’s great aunt (because the mom passed away) dad is trying to get full custody. He has a medical MJ card (in Louisiana) he received an email with a form requesting his medical records from the doctor that wrote his MMJ prescription. However at the top where it has the attorneys name and it says “relationship to patient” the attorney put “attorney for” basically claiming she’s HIS attorney. Is that even ethical or legal? Shouldn’t that be her basically trying to pose as his lawyer to get his medical records rather than saying she’s the opposing counsel? My cousin and her husband aren’t worried about the judge having those records. It’s a legal prescription. But he doesn’t want to sign that form giving them access to his medical records when she is clearly implying that she’s his lawyer instead of the aunts lawyer. He’s representing himself which is why I’m asking here. We can’t figure out where to ask this, or how to get a lawyer to just let us know if this is legal/ethical or not. Any help is appreciated!

I'm currently going through custody/family court in Illinois. We were never married and I do not have a signed parenting plan yet, just my lawyer stating that in the courts eyes I am the father of my child. My daughter is 2 and lives with her mother at her grandmother's house. I usually have her from 3pm to bedtime. I enter the home and put her to sleep and then leave while her mother is at work and grandmother "watches" her while she sleeps.

Today as we were walking in she decided to pick up my child and shut the door on me. I went to the police and reported an event as I understand nothing illegal may have accused. What rights do I have and can she legally do this? Waiting to speak with my attorney in the morning. What if I were to pick up my daughter and tell her mother that she has to either pick her up after her work shift or I can drop her off in the morning the next day?

In August 2023, my world turned upside down when I came home early from work and caught my wife cheating. I immediately kicked her out. Since then, for the past year, we've shared custody of our son, mostly informally, based on whoever had the most free time. She got a full-time job a few months ago, working 11 AM to 7 PM, which means I now have our son most days. My work schedule (6 AM to 2 PM) allows me to drop him off at childcare on my way to work and pick him up when I’m done. We spend the rest of the day together, and on weekends, we hang out, go to the beach, or run errands. My bond with him is strong, and I’ve taken on the role of primary caregiver. A few weeks ago, we went to court mediation, and she’s pushing for 50/50 custody. I’m assuming she knows she can’t ask for more, given her circumstances, but I want to make sure I’m prepared when we go back to court since I’d like to have full custody and as can have supervised visits. Here’s where I stand and why I believe I’m the better, more stable parent:

1. The Cheating Incident: When I caught her cheating, our son was in the room. This was confirmed by both her and the man she cheated with. It’s incredibly concerning that she made such a reckless decision with our son present.
2. Her Social Circle: My ex-wife has friends who are a serious concern. One has been arrested multiple times, another is a convicted felon, one uses recreational drugs (illegal in Florida), and another has been involved in grooming a teenager. There’s also a friend who has a history of domestic abuse (as a victim). This is the kind of environment my son would be exposed to.
3. Her Mother’s Behavior:My mother-in-law, who would be watching our son more than my ex-wife, has been aggressive toward me in front of the children. She screamed at me and physically pushed me when I was simply trying to get my stepchild out of her room (at my wife’s request). On another occasion, the night I kicked my ex out, my mother-in-law tried to force her way into my home to take the kids while they were sleeping. I’m worried about the influence she could have on my son.
4. Social Media Issues:My ex-wife has an unprofessional and inappropriate presence online. She has been criticized publicly for acting promiscuous and embarrassing herself, which is not something I want tied to our children. On the other hand, I’ve consistently received positive feedback about how I present myself as a father.
5. Her History of Drug Abuse: She has a past of opioid abuse and has attempted or accidentally overdosed multiple times in her life. She has diagnosed mental health issues, including depression, and sees a psychiatrist regularly. She’s heavily medicated and might still struggle with suicidal ideation. For our son’s safety, I plan to request that the court require her to take substance abuse classes.
6. Negligence with Our Son’s Care: I gave her six months to get our son’s social security number and she never got it, delaying critical pediatrician visits and vaccinations. I stepped in to handle all of his medical needs, including getting his shots up to date. I’m concerned about her neglectful behavior when it comes to his well-being.
7. Mental Health and Suicidal Ideation: Her suicidal thoughts are alarming, especially since she lives with her parents, who own multiple firearms that she has access to. She’s had numerous suicide attempts, and I’ve had to rush home in the past when she couldn’t handle our son and said she might hurt herself. This isn’t something to overlook in a custody decision.
8. Substance Use and Reckless Behavior: She’s engaged in reckless behavior, including drinking and smoking before she was of legal age. She even attempted to overdose once after I had already kicked her out, while she was caring for our kids, though it fortunately just put her to sleep.

While I’m sure not all of these issues carry the same legal weight, I’m hoping they illustrate why I should be considered the more stable and responsible parent. I’m looking for advice on how to present these concerns effectively in court and whether there are any other points I should focus on to strengthen my case.