My son was taken by child protective services last month when my wife attempted suicide. The child was placed in the care of my wifes mother, and I was not permitted to see him. Since, my wife has been released and was arrested on marijauna and cocaine charges. She is out on bail and living with her parents. The judge issued a no contact order against her, so she is not allowed to have contact with me. Because she is living in the same home as my son, I have not been able to have contact with him. I would like to file for divorce and get a custody order giving me visitation… or at least get temporary visitation through the court or child protective services. I am disabled and do not have the financial means to hire an attorney or even pay the court costs. My family has offered to help me, but I would have to move to Washington, yet I fear if I do so, I may never see my son again. I live in fulton county, OH.. is there any help out there?
2007-12-04 03:52:23 · 14 answers · asked by Cbauer 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Let me clear some things up... I was not around when they took my son, because I left him with my wifes mother to take my wife to the hospital for the suicide attempt. Child services gave my wifes mother temporary guardianship while I was at the hospital. Also, my wife does not have a protective order against me... the judge issued a no contact order on her. She can not contact me until her trial is over.... Im not sure why this was done. I could see my son until my wife went to live with her parents, now because of the no contact order, I cant go over there to see him. Also, I have to move because my wifes father is evicting my from the house... he owns the house my wife and I rented together.
2007-12-04 04:21:25 · update #1
Keep the child, lose the wife. Check with social services and see if there are legal aid services in your area. Meanwhile, keep documentation of every incident for when you go to court. Good luck. 2D
2007-12-04 04:02:44 · answer #1 · answered by 2D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've got some holes in your story. Seems like you were no where around or they would have left the child with you and not your wife's mother. Youc an file for visitation without a lot of money anyway and you do not neccessarily need a lawyer for that. Why does your wife have a protective order against you? and why do you ahev to move to Washington? Somethign is definately missing in this story.
2007-12-04 04:08:33 · answer #2 · answered by Lady A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be able to find an attorney to help you despite the financial limitations. Start there. Find an attorney's office that specializes in father's rights. I recently moved from Chicago to Pittsburgh, and I remember seeing advertisements for Father's rights attorneys alot. I don't see as many here, but they must exist.
Also, try contacting child protective services and describe your concerns to them. I would imagine that they would have to act on reports and suspicions of your wife's drug use.
Contact the attorney's though, while you're calling forget about the money, chances are you'll find someone who's willing to help, and that will figure out a way for you to pay them.
Good luck, it sounds rough.
2007-12-04 04:04:22 · answer #3 · answered by blujello 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is hard to answer as there is not much in the way of demographics in your question. However, I hope that I have found a way around that. There are links below that you can explore and I sincerely hope that you will find use of them. The first two regard legal aid in North America. The third is an article that you might find interesting. The last is basically advertising on a book, but I figured with this important situation it was worth a shot. Maybe it will be just what you need. Good luck!
2016-04-07 07:58:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait a minute, that's not right......if your wife is the reason your son was placed in protective custody, then there wouldn't be any problem for you to see him, and your wife would not be permitted to stay where he is. On the other hand, if they are not allowing you to see him, then you have some involvement in why he was taken away..............therefore, you need a lawyer and a case to be able to change anything.
2007-12-04 04:06:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you HAVE to move to Washington? Is that the contingency your family is giving on their willingness to help? I also don't understand why your son was not put into YOUR home. Is it because of your disability? Everyone is entitled to legal representation, regardless of whether they can afford an attorney or not. The court will assign one to you at some point. Contact a family law attorney and ask about your rights, etc. Most attorneys will give you at least one FREE consultation to help you decide where to go from there. Best of luck to you.
2007-12-04 04:01:18 · answer #6 · answered by julesl68 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
See if there's a Legal Aid agency in your area. They help people who don't have the means to pay an attorney. They don't usually handle just any kind of case, but it's worth a try. You can also contact the Bar Association for your area and see if they have any attorneys waiting for pro bono cases (where they do the case for free).
2007-12-04 04:04:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can file motions yourself. all you need is the regular information, a statement of what you are asking for, and attach an order ( for the judge to sign) and a certification of service, ( a paper saying you mailed it on such and such a day to the other parties involved.) If your judge does not sign this paper, tell the clerk of courts tha your constitutional rights should not be waived by deriliction of duty. You should be able to go to any court house and view other cases so that you may see the procceedure for typint these papers.
2007-12-04 04:02:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
there are free lawyers for people in your situation, talk to the court house or your domestic relations building.
here(PA) is very cheap to file for custody at our domestic relations building($25-50), from there you take your case to a non profit lawyer. and ask them to represent you.
The only cases our non profit lawyers take on are custody and domestic abuse related. So you are in luck!
You may have to stay in the area so he can have visitations with his mother. Unless the courts take away her rights completely. Or if she doesnt care to fight to keep you in state.
You could probably get help from your local Child protective services office. Or they may be able to point you in the right direction.
I wish you and your son the best!
2007-12-04 04:00:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
His wife doesn't have custody of his son...Her parents are the ones caring for him...and obviously they are enabling her drug addiction by allowing her to live with them and have contact with her son.....You need to talk with an attorney....You are disabled...but your not a drug addict like your wife...I would think that you would have little trouble getting full custody of your son if you can prove that your wife is unfit....
2007-12-04 04:02:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋