Deadbeat Dad

[djharris]

I am a mother of 2 daughters 9 and 6. The divorce took place in Kansas which we shared joint custody. After the divorce I moved to Nebraska and remarried. The father was court ordered to pay child support which he has never paid through the court. The little money he has given me which hasn't been much has been cash and never the full amount. He hasn't even bothered to pay anything in the last couple years. A year ago we moved to Texas and I told him that since we wouldn't be within driving distance I would work out visitation on school holidays with him. Over the summer I made the trip to Kansas to see my family around his schedule. When we got there he told the girls that he would take them for 1 night because he didn't have the money to keep them for the week. I told him at that point where we would be for the rest of the week if he wanted to visit, but he never made a point of even calling. Since that trip he has called 3 times. I am unable to reach him except through text messages and he doesn't return the texts. He didn't even call for Christmas or a birthday. I am at my wits end. I know this hurts my kids. Their step-dad is awsome to them. I guess my question is what could a lawyer do for me and would it be easy to get full custody? Any advice would be great! I am sorry if this is a little winded, but I was trying to give you the facts!

Dana

 

[Duranie]

My question is, what are you trying to accomplish with sole custody? Dad rarely sees the kids now. Did you get Dad or court permission to move both times? Normally if you move, you would be required to do some or all the transportation for visits. You moving has made it very hard for Dad to see the kids. Not sure what sole would give you. Dad can always take you back to court and ask for you to share transportation expenses.

 

[djharris]

No I didn't get permission, but I do transport. I have bent over backwards to make it possible for him to see the kids.

 

[Scooterdog]

Strange.

The state that you started this in is where you go for your child support. Maybe Neb. could enforce the support, but can make no modifications to it.

Child support and visitation have nothing to do with one another.

I'm a little confused. You said:

He didn't even call for Christmas or a birthday. I am at my wits end. I know this hurts my kids.

Now you want full custody? Is that not going to cause harm if he NEVER calls, writes, or see's them again?