A single mom in az who has sole custody, wants to relocate. Has a deadbeat dad on drugs. Read on PLEASE HELP!!

Question

I have sole custody of both kids. Dad is on drugs does not see kids. Only has paid court supervised court rights that he does not use. He always shows up to all court hearings just to hang on to some right like calling us for a while. Saying I dont let him talk to the kids. Then he will call and say upsetting stuff. He is a control freak. I want to relocate and afraid if I do it legally he can stop me. The judge last ordered him to drug test every week for one year and hair follicle test every three months. He just start this and passed two weeks in a row. He is a long time meth user. What do you think my prognosis is? Worried should I be?

Answer 1

talk to your attorney, depends on how far you are planning to go. the courts generally do not look kindly on moving away, especially when it looks to them like dad is getting his act together

Answer 2

What a guy, why would you ever think about staying near him, letting the kids near him! This is serious, So he's been clean 14 days, BD!! Thats just the beginning of a life time!! Anyone can change, but most don't!! Move, get supervized visits for the kids, and maybe he'll earn their respect someday!!! The odds are not in his favor

Answer 3

Follow the court orders and if you feel your child's life is in danger when he visits his father, then you need to prove it to the courts and get things changed legally, first.

Start keeping track of things regarding your kids' father on a calander specifically for this type of thing...when he doesn't show up for visits, when he's obviously on drugs, when he calls, etc., etc.

Then sit back and have patience. It will only be a matter of time before this man has relapsed and he will only have himself to blame.

You go on living your life and being a strong mother AND father to those kids...do right by them and find peace in your life.

It will be okay. :)

Answer 4

Custody is apparently established, right? You will probably have to take him back to court for a revision saying that you want to move. I would talk to a lawyer, and take your question to the forums on www.childcustody.org . They've helped me with a lot of my custody/support questions and issues as well.

Also... make sure you're keeping THOROUGH records of EVERY time you talk to your ex or he comes to visit. Dates, times, what was said during the conversations. EVERYTHING. When you go to court it's usually your word against his, and judges look highly on records like that.