heatherfry
New Member
I will try to make this short and concise, but there's a lot to it. Thank you in advance for your help.
I have 3 daughters from a previous marriage. I remarried about a month ago. My husband is in the coast guard. He just completed school and was hoping to be able to stay in San Diego. However, the only openings available to him are on the east coast. There was nothing even close to San Diego. We chose Maine and he is moving there next month. I hope to follow with the kids once the school year is over, as we thought this would make it the easiest transition for the kids. Our kids are 8, 10 and 12.
My ex and I have joint legal and I have full physical custody. He does not want us moving. He sees the kids every weekend, for about 24 hours. He quit his job when our divorce was finalized a year ago. He has not been legitimately employed since. He has told me he will work 'under the table' for the rest of his life so he doesn't have to pay child support. (In the divorce, we established $700/mo. for child support. He's never paid.)
He does not have the means to care for the kids. He is living with his girlfriend, who has 3 kids of her own in a small apartment.
Also, we are currently going through a custody hearing. I requested supervised visits because he allegedly hit our daughter a few months ago. It was reported to CPS and is still pending the final hearing. This is also the reason we divorced, because he was physically abusive to me and the kids. However, I have never filed charges against him, there has never been a restraining order, and thus no proof of any of it. He has since sought anger management, domestic violence classes and therapy. I think that might be 'proof' enough of his abusive nature, but I'm not sure.
I think that's about it in a nut shell. My question is how do I go about moving to Maine? Is there some form or petition I need to fill out to move? What do you think the judge will say? What's the law in these matters?
Also, I'm scared to go to court. My ex is very persuasive and manipulative. I don't know what to say and what not to say to the judge. I don't want to come off as some crazy drama white trash story... But it is what it is. And I really think moving would be best for us all. Is it possible the judge will order me to stay?
I appriciate any and all comments and suggestions. Thank you.
I have 3 daughters from a previous marriage. I remarried about a month ago. My husband is in the coast guard. He just completed school and was hoping to be able to stay in San Diego. However, the only openings available to him are on the east coast. There was nothing even close to San Diego. We chose Maine and he is moving there next month. I hope to follow with the kids once the school year is over, as we thought this would make it the easiest transition for the kids. Our kids are 8, 10 and 12.
My ex and I have joint legal and I have full physical custody. He does not want us moving. He sees the kids every weekend, for about 24 hours. He quit his job when our divorce was finalized a year ago. He has not been legitimately employed since. He has told me he will work 'under the table' for the rest of his life so he doesn't have to pay child support. (In the divorce, we established $700/mo. for child support. He's never paid.)
He does not have the means to care for the kids. He is living with his girlfriend, who has 3 kids of her own in a small apartment.
Also, we are currently going through a custody hearing. I requested supervised visits because he allegedly hit our daughter a few months ago. It was reported to CPS and is still pending the final hearing. This is also the reason we divorced, because he was physically abusive to me and the kids. However, I have never filed charges against him, there has never been a restraining order, and thus no proof of any of it. He has since sought anger management, domestic violence classes and therapy. I think that might be 'proof' enough of his abusive nature, but I'm not sure.
I think that's about it in a nut shell. My question is how do I go about moving to Maine? Is there some form or petition I need to fill out to move? What do you think the judge will say? What's the law in these matters?
Also, I'm scared to go to court. My ex is very persuasive and manipulative. I don't know what to say and what not to say to the judge. I don't want to come off as some crazy drama white trash story... But it is what it is. And I really think moving would be best for us all. Is it possible the judge will order me to stay?
I appriciate any and all comments and suggestions. Thank you.