dragonkitty
Junior Member
What is the name of your state?Indiana
My original lawyer in my paternity/child custody case moved after my first hearing but before the follow-up. The lady that took her place in the office took over my case at that time. This new lawyer did not represent me adequately in the hearing because she was unprepared and did not submit evidence I had provided to her. Despite this, the court's ruling was more-or-less aggreable.
Here comes the BIG problem: HIS lawyer was allowed to prepare the final documents, including the court order. I told my attorney to NOT sign it without giving me opportunity to review it. I did not trust his attorney due to his reputation of "getting one over" on opposing parties (and I warned her of this). Well, she signed it, and not only did I not have a chance to review it, I don't believe SHE even read it. The court order thoroughly spells out his rights, visitation, etc. but does not even make mention of mine (holidays, etc.). In addition, there are points on the document that are in direct opposition to what the judge had ordered (when child is 18 mos, 3 weekend/mo visitation instead of every other weekend). I have been relentlessly calling my attorney and pestering her to fix this for 2 months now. She has been negligent about returning my phone calls despite my threats to file a complaint against her. She finally filed a "motion to modify" this week, but she tells me the judge will order mediation prior to hearing anything. Mediation is expected to cost me around $500, which I don't have because misrepresentations in the court order have prohibited me from working my schedule. He has already called the police on me because my work schedule was "interferring with (his) visitation rights" (I had asked him to drive 20 miles to my mother's house and leave the child with her when I worked). He threatens me with contempt of court whenever I propose even the smallest deviation.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I am at the end of my rope--both financially and mentally (no exaggeration).
Thank you in advance & sorry post is so long!
My original lawyer in my paternity/child custody case moved after my first hearing but before the follow-up. The lady that took her place in the office took over my case at that time. This new lawyer did not represent me adequately in the hearing because she was unprepared and did not submit evidence I had provided to her. Despite this, the court's ruling was more-or-less aggreable.
Here comes the BIG problem: HIS lawyer was allowed to prepare the final documents, including the court order. I told my attorney to NOT sign it without giving me opportunity to review it. I did not trust his attorney due to his reputation of "getting one over" on opposing parties (and I warned her of this). Well, she signed it, and not only did I not have a chance to review it, I don't believe SHE even read it. The court order thoroughly spells out his rights, visitation, etc. but does not even make mention of mine (holidays, etc.). In addition, there are points on the document that are in direct opposition to what the judge had ordered (when child is 18 mos, 3 weekend/mo visitation instead of every other weekend). I have been relentlessly calling my attorney and pestering her to fix this for 2 months now. She has been negligent about returning my phone calls despite my threats to file a complaint against her. She finally filed a "motion to modify" this week, but she tells me the judge will order mediation prior to hearing anything. Mediation is expected to cost me around $500, which I don't have because misrepresentations in the court order have prohibited me from working my schedule. He has already called the police on me because my work schedule was "interferring with (his) visitation rights" (I had asked him to drive 20 miles to my mother's house and leave the child with her when I worked). He threatens me with contempt of court whenever I propose even the smallest deviation.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I am at the end of my rope--both financially and mentally (no exaggeration).
Thank you in advance & sorry post is so long!