Does anyone think custody battles are fair?
466358
There is nothing fair in a custody battle for anyone, regardless of who gets what ultimately someone loses out, most times its the children.  I would have to agree with you on the attorney issue though, it takes money to get a good attorney, and it can go to ungodly amounts of costs.  Every phone conversation is subtracted as well as everthing else.  I feel for my husband, because his ex is now dating an attorney who seems to have nothing better to do then take him to court.  Of course its no out of pocket expense to her so she finds anything to bring him back into court for. I guess all I can say to you is Good Luck, Do alot of praying.
175580
No, I think there are fair.
70447
okay my parent s are divoreced but i know its for the best its better that to hear them fight and argue. I sometimes feel like im missing a part of me like on fathers day and i cant rememer the good times cause i was only little when they divorce. but i know very little about him but its better to leave it burid that to go digging for me anyway.
133807
No, because whoever has the children has to establish some kind of stability for them.  I'm not saying you should not have any rights, but think of the kids first.
1075082
Which parent has custody?  These visitation rights sound horrible.  Also $250 for child support for 2 kids is a drop in the bucket.  What's up with that?  I hope this isn't something the court set up and if it is they need to go back to court and get it straightened out.  Are they just selfish?  Surely they (the parents) see what they're doing to these kids?
509139
Not always. For example, when parents are always fighting it's better for the kids if the parents are divorced. Or if one of the parents is somehow abusive.
613271
It seems the issue is how much your often violent ex-husband should have access to your daughter.  Generally speaking, he or she must be really bad to has his parental right to have access to his/her child being denied. (although your ex could have lost his right due to his criminal conducts ... but the bar is really set high to lose this parental right) \n\nTypically, many divorced parents go thorough the visitation-custody arrangements (or more correctly put battles!) until the child fully emancipates !0!  I venture to guess here that your ex wants to see your daughter and want it as much as he possible can.  If so, his option would not be a mediation hearing but get the definitive direction from the judge.
794370
There are two sides to this argument, however I believe a shared cost of the childs needs should be paid for, not a percentage of someones disposable income.\n\nIf we take as average 25% of income at a take home wage of say £300 per week, this is £75 per week. With the best will in the world it does not cost £75 per week to feed and clothe a child.\n\nI do not believe that the parent with custody should be paid for looking after the child.\n\nMy hubby has a daughter and the CSA tried it with him. He blew them out of the water. He told them he would prefer to hire a professional than pay his ex to look after his daughter.\n\nHe is lucky, he has a law degree so he knew how to fight them.
997607
There is always a fight with kids when you try to regulate everything.  But you are the father and you decide what is best.  Make up a reasonable schedule and inforce it.  Know that the fights are inevitable, but don't allow the fights to get out of hand.  Let them know who is the boss and that there will be no arguing about it
982389
Yes they should.  If rules are good for one, they should be good for all.  But the two of you need to sit down and discuss, first, what kind of rules you have for each set of kids.  Compromise on some if need be.  But make sure all the kids have the same rules or it could look like a game of favoritism is being played.
933909
huni.. ive just finished a court case.. and yer rite its not nice. but somtimes it gives em a kick up the arse they need.. my ex went for full custody.. when i let him see my son when evr he wanted.. but wasnt satisfied with that.. so after the case he gets 1 nite evry 2 weeks... nothing to wot he had.. and also has to pay maintanance.. no the judge wont side with him hun.. \ni was devastated when he took me to court i thort i was gona loose my son.. hes 9 by the way.. and always lived with me.. and the thort of loosing him put me on prozac.. but i  got threw it and he got nothing.. and if i let him see him more then he is grateful  and so he shud be after all he put me threw..i don want my son to not see his dad but they do make it very very hard for you to get on with things ...let us no how you go on chick good luck x
964667
I am sure that the Court will at least consider the children's wishes. But...there are many things that will determine the Court's decision. Parent's history and current ability to provide for the children etc.....
743478
If you are in a contested divorce with complicated custody and property issues, it may be legal, but unwise.  Anything you do may be used in court to show your character.
528094
In my case, things got BETTER between my ex and I AFTER I took him to court for support.  \n\nIt was especially difficult because he is an attorney and tried to make it hard for me.  But, I went after everything I could because I figured that even the LAW would grant me more than he was leaving me and the children with - which was nothing!\n\nSo, I sued him and fought him.  I won enough to make a difference, and it was totally worth it.  I too have a child going to college in a few years, and I have younger ones too. \n\nFor the sake of your children, and for the sake of your own sanity, SUE him if you must.  \n\nMy ex has reluctantly accepted the situation, but I had to have his wages garnished before he finally came around, and now we're actually better friends than when we were married.\n\nIt's hard, I know.  But, it's worth it.  You can't afford NOT to go after him.  Your children are HIS children too.  \n\nGood luck!
1084817
Sad. \nI am a father with custody of my now 20 year old daughter. It is very sad. If it doesn't work out, you will greive the end of the relationship.\n\nYou owe it to yourself to rest knowing you did everything you could to keep the relationship. I would make one last case with her. Try to convince her to stay with you, but if and probably when she rejects it, move on. \n\nDo your best to get a non-contested divorce. Know this, you will only retain custody of your son if she allows it. Courts give the children to the mother if they just look like they want it. So if she agrees, keep your son with you, if not, let her have him and fight for the best visitation you can get, Joint custody, if you can get it.\n\nDo some work on healing yourself and do what you can to get yourself back to happy with yourself. People make mistakes, big mistakes but it doesn't make them failures. Don't expect to re-establish a close relationship until you have gotten yourself off the rebound and back to a normal life.\n\nGood Luck and Sorry to hear about your loss.
1114759
MOST STATES HAVE LEGAL AIDE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP.IF THERES LIKELY TO BE A CUSTODY FIGHT I STRONGLY SUGGEST HAVING AN ATTORNEY. ALSO SECURE THE CHILDS RESIDENCE BEFORE HAND.....SUCH AS MAKE CERTAIN THE DADS RESIDENCE IS LISTED ON ALL PAPERWORK,SUCH AS SCHOOL OR DAYCARE RECORDS ETC...HE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO PROVE THE CHILD HAS BEEN IN HIS CUSTODY. DIVORCE CAN BE VERY UGLY,ESPECIALLY WHERE KIDS ARE CONCERNED.I WOULD DEFINATELY SEEK ADVICE FROM THE LOCAL FAMILY COURT OR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE BEFORE TIPPING MY HAND.
947590
Sadly -- you will not just have to prove (with all of the papers entered into evidence) that your ex is an abuser, but ...\n\nAlso have to endure an UGLY Custody battle as well.\n\nThis is more a Battle to make you miserable than any desire to have custody or visitation with the children -- and the longer he can drag it out and make you pay -- the more he is happy about the situation -- MORE control and Manipulation on top of the abuse you already have SURVIVED.\n\nUNFORTUNATELY -- the violent, abusive ex (and soon-to-be ex) has MORE rights in any proceeding than any of his Victims/Survivors.