Bad grades and change of custody

[sammyjean1970]

My jurisdiction is: California

Last June my ex-husband sued for child custody and support and he won. 70/30 split, I'm paying $715 mo. for support. During mediation he make it look like both kids were doing fine in school but only submitted a report card for one child and ask the mediator to check the others child's STAR score online which she states in the report that she was unable to locate. I've come to find out that my other child (13yrs) is failing severely in school (4 Fs out of 6 classes) and has for sometime now. Both children have always been at that school district, a change in custody will require a change in schools. The schools are as good or better in my district. I want control over their academic lives but live to far away now. With only having them on every other weekend there's not much I can do to help my child with improving his grades. What are my chances of getting custody changed based on his grades? Also, I found out that he is paying half of is girlfriends' rent every month, which may seem like no big deal but there is a restraining order and a no contact order, restraining her from my children because she has been violent and emotionally abusive to them.

 

[irish223]

My jurisdiction is: California

Last June my ex-husband sued for child custody and support and he won. 70/30 split, I'm paying $715 mo. for support. During mediation he make it look like both kids were doing fine in school but only submitted a report card for one child and ask the mediator to check the others child's STAR score online which she states in the report that she was unable to locate. I've come to find out that my other child (13yrs) is failing severely in school (4 Fs out of 6 classes) and has for sometime now. Both children have always been at that school district, a change in custody will require a change in schools. The schools are as good or better in my district. I want control over their academic lives but live to far away now. With only having them on every other weekend there's not much I can do to help my child with improving his grades. What are my chances of getting custody changed based on his grades? Also, I found out that he is paying half of is girlfriends' rent every month, which may seem like no big deal but there is a restraining order and a no contact order, restraining her from my children because she has been violent and emotionally abusive to them.

As a parent, you have access to your child's education records. If your ex wanted to change custody over your objections, I'm surprised that you didn't gather all that information on your own. As such, I believe it's too late now to change it.

If the girlfriend has been around your children, then you may have a reason to head back to court. However, if your ex chooses to pay her rent while keeping her away from the children, then that's his business.