airport transportation

[fawngirl64]

My husband and I have custody of his 3 children from a previous marriage. Their mother has visitation with them once a month in another state. According to the custody papers we are responsible for their transportation in meeting her at a half way point to hand over the children for visitation. She is taking us to court to get the right for the children to ride on an airplane for their transportation. We said we would agree for the children to ride the plane, but requested that she accompany them on the way there and back. The children are ages 15, 13, and 11. The 11 year old has mild ADHD. He would not do well in the airport if left to fend for himself. He can't even go into a store for a loaf of bread because he forgets what he is doing. We have a medical report showing his evaluation from a PHD psycologist at his school. The other children are not responsible about watching him at all. We also suspect that airplane fares will begin to be more expensive than the gas that it takes to drive the children to the half way point. She only pays $275 a month for child support for all 3 children. This money is nearly taken up in costs for the trip for her visitations. This is the 3rd time she has taken us to court. Our old attorney passed away and now in order to get a new one we will have to pay a $1500 retainer. We don't have the money! We got the judge to give us more time hoping that Cherokee Nation would help us with an attorney but we were turned down because we're not in their low income status. (seems we make too much money for help but not enough to live on and for sure not enough to pay lawyer fees) She has a wealthy boyfriend who is paying all of her attorney fees. It would be easier physically for us to let the children ride the plane alone...but because we live with these kids everyday, we know it is not a safe situation. Our court date is next Tuesday. What will happen if we show up without an attorney? What are the chances that the judge would even hear our side?
Please let me know.
fawngirl

 

[Duranie]

The kids are old enough to fly alone. If you want her to accompany the kids unless you are willing to pay for her ticket, that is an unreasonable request,

 

[fawngirl64]

Duranie,
thanks for your reply. It's good to know what this situation looks like from someone outside of it. I didn't mention in my blog the fact that the bio mom is never on time any where...not to pick up the kids...not in bringing them back. She also has a history with a drug charge for having been caught with meth. in her purse. She is not trust worthy and up until last year only was allowed (court ordered) 3 hrs supervised visitation with the kids for 3 hours a month. Last time I was at the airport (2 weeks ago) they were on orange alert, which is the highest alert for terrorism. It truly scares me to think about her not being there on the other side when the kids arrive and our 11 year old would be lost and confused. Is it still unreasonable to think that all the money that she pays for support is going toward the expense for her visitations....this just doesn't make sense to me.
Am I crazy? Please reply.
Fawngirl64

 

[fawngirl64]

Come on someone.....what will happen if we go to court without an attorney? Will the judge even hear us out?