I'm a single mother of two who has been divorced for some time now. Since the divorce i have been very depressed and can exibit "manic" like behavior (like being very high strung, talking and walking real fast) then i feel very low and don't even feel like getting out of bed. After a year i finally saw a counsler and was told i was Bipolar and given meds for it. Now i'm locked in a bitter custody battle with my ex husband who wants sole custody of our son and daughter. He claims my manic depression is harmful for our kids and is trying to say i'm unfit because of my behavior. I feel this is a money issue. I make more money than him with my job plus i'm getting an inheritance from my parents( about 20,000 dollars) He is currently unemployed and if he gets sole custody i will have to pay him child support. I don't think he's fit beacuse he smoked weed around our kids when we were married a year ago and i know for a fact that he still does. But back to my being biploar will this make a
2007-07-31 19:31:09 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
differance? If i go to court and tell the judge the truth that i do have mental health issues but know right from wrong and i'm seeking help will he or she still take my kids away? i know in society there is a stigma about people with mental illness. Are there any bipolar parents out there that are rasing kids? if so, how do you do it? And where you ever in danger of losing your kids?
2007-07-31 19:35:06 · update #1
Also i do currently pay spouse support to him per our divorce agreement but in a few months i won't have to anymore. How will this come in to play?
2007-07-31 19:52:31 · update #2
My ex-wife is bi-polar, the only time I threatened to fight her for custody was when she was non compliant with her meds. As long as she is on her meds, I have no issues at all with her raising the kids, and she is an excellent mother and a good provider, she and I have had numerous discussions about this.
Are you on meds? Are they working? Are you in therapy? Is it working? All these things come into play, simply being diagnosed with depression at any level, does NOT make you an unfit parent.
As with any legal case, it will vary from state to state, and you really need to talk to your attorney. If he has already filed for custody, then you should already have an attorney, if he's unemployed, than I fail to see how he has hired his own attorney, and filed.
Sounds like his gravy train is about to run out, and he is looking for another way to live without working
2007-07-31 19:59:40 · answer #1 · answered by Michael H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there....I agree with the other answers you got already.
Sounds like he's a leech and is hoping to get more money from you..!
If money is not an issue for you, then get a good lawyer ASAP and have him/her give you advice.
Continue taking your medication and keep records of everything you are doing so you can prove in court that you are trying to be well so you can be a good mom.
Talk to your doctor and make sure that you can prove that you have been visiting him. IF possible, go to therapy and have this other person on your side, too.
Your ex sounds like a mean man, and the fact he smokes weed is something you can use against him. If you could get pictures of him buying the stuff or actually using it maybe it could help you, too. (Ask your lawyer...)
Please take care of yourself and try to do the best you can do for your kids. They are defenseless and they need to be taken care of....! Good luck.
2007-08-01 03:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he has to prove you are unfit as a parent. You have a counsellor to back up your position that you are receiveing treatment for a health issue. He is not gainfully employed and able to support the children. I'd say he will have a tough time proving he would be the better parent.
Stay calm and focused when before the judge no matter what.
2007-07-31 19:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by dizzkat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is something that you should DEFINITELY get a lawyer for. After all it sounds like you can afford one and he can't anyway. You would have to be totally unfit and a serious hazard to your children in order for a judge to take them away. I had a cousin in a worse situation that you're in and the judge didn't take her kids. My suggestion would be to continue going to couseling and taking your medication. This way the judge will see that you are trying to keep yourself under control and you're working on it. Don't stress too much. Seek some legal council and see what they have to say. Just remember to stay on the up n' up so that if/when this goes to court, you have nothing negative for anyone to say.
2007-07-31 19:43:14 · answer #4 · answered by glittereyedg 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could be an issue. I think you need a lawyer to get though this. Just make it clear what you want him to do. I think you have a better than even chance though because the court system is tilted in the mother's favor. I lost my kids to my ex because she was going to be living where the kids went to school even though the kids' lawyer said I'd be the better parent.
2007-07-31 19:45:46 · answer #5 · answered by Strike2? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is unemployed, how is he to support his children? when a parent pays child support, he or she doesn't pay 100% of the expenses, so he can't relly just in the child support you pay, so a judge is going to kick his butt out of court and send him to find a job and pay the child support that he has to pay and whatever in arrears he owes you. I think you can show a judge than even with your problem you are able to raise your kids and be a loving mother, tell him you are in treatment and you can get your doctor or counselor to go to court with you and explain that you can do it. Also get letters from friends and family telling the judge that they believe you can handle your children and that they are safe with you.
2007-07-31 19:42:00 · answer #6 · answered by Sarita 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋