Looking for personal references: I have a custody issue...?

Question

I have a custody issue and I’m looking for referrals from people have had difficult custody battles. I am aware that I can look in the phone book, oniline and elsewhere, but I really want an attorney that someone has hired and speaks very highly of. I need help changing my son’s custody from joint legal and physical to sole legal and physical and help getting my parenting time changed. His father has already hired an attorney and I don’t want to represent myself against his attorney. My son starts school this year and his father and I both want him with us Mon – Fri. Yes it is a sad situation and I feel bad that my son is in the middle so please spare me your personal feelings. This is a simple request for attorney referrals. Thanks so much to those who respond. I don’t mean to be so short but I’m frustrated and time is of the essence.

I apologize all...I live in Arizona

I am open to any advice. Basically I want to start my son in school this year and I thought his father and I had agreed verbally that he would go to school on my side of town. We are separated by about 45 miles. We have joint legal and physical custody. My son’s grandma told me a few weeks ago that she confronted him about his weird behavior and he admitted to using meth and cocaine. I don’t know if I can prove this, and she probably won’t admit in court that her son told her these things. We have a 4/3 schedule, but this schedule doesn’t work when my son enters school. There were a couple of instances of domestic abuse, which is why we aren’t together now, but on the paperwork I signed in 2004 it says that their wasn’t and domestic violence (clearly my oversight). However I did have a restraining order placed in 2005 because he was stalking me and harassing me about getting back together. It had gotten pretty scary. That’s the background. Thanks in advance for any help.

Answer 1

I think knowing the state you are in would help tremendously for you to get a excellent response.

Thanks

I'm sorry to read your additional information. Yes as a mother you have every right to protect your child, actually it is your duty. I think you are soooo doing the right thing. Your child should not be exposed to drug abuse. I would surely talk with the lawyer you choose about the substance abuse and the restraining order. This will give you good leverage. Also, you being the mother of a young child, I don't see why a judge wouldn't award you sole custody, but I'm not a judge. If your ex mother in law won't testify on behalf of her grandchild, that would mean she's not thinking of the welfare of the child. If he is in fact taking these drugs, you can request that he be tested. Good luck to you and your little one. You child needs you to protect him. Be blessed!

Ok, I don't live in Arizona, but I found the following for you. Hope it helps.

NRG Family Law http://www.nrglaw.net/cm/content/child_custody.asp?gclid=CKutj7PUyI0CFQGPWAodYwHgLg

Mark Cord Family Law 33 years Experience
http://www.mcordlaw.com/index.jsp

Bishop Law Offices
http://www.bishoplawoffice.net/custody.jsp

Answer 2

I could tell you someone for the state I am in. However, if there has been any kind of abuse, I would suggest calling your local women's shelter and asking for a referral. They often refer to the best bang for the buck attorneys!

Answer 3

sure, get a criminal expert, yet, has your son been interviewed, for instnace, by potential of Social amenities! Is your son able to status up for himself in courtroom, and tell the decide what's particularly occurring! What does HE desire out of this mess!? perhaps he would not desire to work out his father, and what info would desire to the guy probable have related to the molestation!? If the mediators have given you temp popular custody, elect that, yet what i do no longer comprehend is, what reason is the EX making issues perplexing for you, do you recognize if he HAS an time table, or in simple terms doing it for spite! feels like he has funds to maintain yanking you into courtroom!

Answer 4

Your best bet now is to contact your locallegalaid association and ask for advice.They will refer you to the best of their list. Since you are already bent on getting an attorney I wont offer any legal advise here. Good luck

Answer 5

You need to let someone know the town/state that you live in before anyone can help.

Answer 6

I don't know what state your in so, the best advice is to find a lawyer who is a child advocate. They are the best. mine was Bernnadet Ruiz in Tucson, AZ.