Do They Always Favor The Mother??

[lylah]

What is the name of your state? NH
UNFAIR UNFAIR UNFAIR, is all I CAN SAY. Somehow my neices mother proved that my brother abused her and was rewarded a Restraining order. They were not married, my neice does have his last name. He hasnt seen his daughter now in a month. The restraining order came in the mail stating that he can see his daughter on Sundays from 12-5 unsupervised. He had to pick her up (18 months old) at the police station and drop off there. Well this Sunday, the mother was a no show. So he called the courthouse today and told him in a snotty way that there is nothing he can do about it and that he has another court date Jan 4. One he doesnt even know about. Shortly after the mother took off he filed for joint custody and the hearing for that is Jan 24th or 29th. He is saddened, we all are actually for she isnt letting any of us see my neice. It really stunk during the holidays. Sadly, this mother is unfit, but its hard to prove. Any advice on what to do next???

 

[stealth2]

Is your brother represented by an attorney?

 

[lylah]

No not yet..this girl has put him in awful debt. (the ex girlfriend). When she left him, she emptied out his bank account. Plus he's lost time from work going to court. she moved in with her mother. I assume though an attorney is the best way for him to go? Are they expensive?

 

[stealth2]

They certainly aren't cheap. A way y'all could help your brother is to pool your resources to help him out with one - consider it a hell of a lot of early birthday & Christmas presents.

 

[lylah]

Well if I had money I would do it, but we are very poor people. Can anyone please help with advice on what he can do to see his kid besides hire an attorney. The only family he has is me

 

[stealth2]

He could see if legal aid would help him, or if there's a law school close by they often have legal clinics, or he could contact the state bar association to get a list of lawyers doing pro bono work. Absent those solutions, he will need to spend some time educating himself on his state's laws and file for contempt.

 

[casa]

Well if I had money I would do it, but we are very poor people. Can anyone please help with advice on what he can do to see his kid besides hire an attorney. The only family he has is me

If he only has you then who "all" was upset about not seeing her over the holidays?

The major issue is that your brother won't talk about it or act on it. Until he does- All you can do is tolerate not seeing your neice, because you have no choice in the matter.

Another issue is that you state the mother was able to "prove" your brother abused her- That's a problem. Then you say the mother is the one who's unfit, but you have no proof. Something's not right with those contradicting statements.

Your brother can try to find pro bono attorneys or legal aid assistance (tho it's typically a loooong waiting list and limited in resources).