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Emergency Custody

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hwest11

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

This is a pretty long story, but to get honest answers, I have to tell it all. I have had full custody of my daughters, currently 8 and 9 yrs. old, since they were born. In the later part of 2010 my husband and I started using meth. In January 2011 my family called DFCS (or CPS) on us and our children were removed. Our 2 sons came back 2 months after removal, daughters could not because of a custody case my ex brought against me. Husband and I completed everything for DCFS w/ flying colors so to speak. Never failed a drug test, I admitted we used meth when they first came. Completed 4 months of drug classes, parenting classes, couples therapy. DFCS wanted to drop their case in Summer of 2011 but could not because of the custody case. Judge said they couldn't because if it was found that I am not a good mother, she would not want to have the girls move home just to move back out.

So, in September, I made an agreement w/ ex for joint custody w/ him having residential for school. DFCS, Family Focus, and CASA all ended w/ the recommendation that girls return home w/ me the end of this school year because that is what I thought would be best. Custody agreement does not state this though.

Recently learned, from my own investigation, that my ex is serving weekends at our local jail. I became suspicious after dropping them off on Sundays to his mother instead of him. It was hidden from me. I also did a search online so I could see if it would tell me what he was arrested for. It did not. It did show however that he was charged w/ 2 things on the same date. I think it is for DUI for himself and his father who was a passenger in his truck last summer. Daughters told me that he had been at his father's drinking and then they left. He wrecked his truck that night. His father had to get stitches. My daughters were w/ their step mother at that time, thank god.

Anyhow, my daughters told me the other day that their father is smoking weed at his girlfriends house in her bedroom. I reported this to police, since he is a weekender. My daughters also stated that a bag of weed fell out of his pocket recently. He told them that weed was o.k. and it is not bad for you. I had to argue for at least 10 minutes telling them it was bad and illegal.

Youngest daughter is supposed to be on an inhaler, I asked why don't she bring it anymore, she said she lost it and does not have a new one. It's been at least 1 1/2 months since she's brought it with her.

Another incidence that my daughters told me is that they went to the park unsupervised with some other kids and that they were lighting fires and running their hands through it and jumping over it. They have no burns. They say that they get to go out unsupervised a lot. When I call, half of the time their father does not know where they went. He is not watching them. Granted they are 8 and 9, but he should still know where they are.

I don't know if this would count, but my ex's wife left the day after we made the agreement on custody. She was just there to help him look better. Since then he has been taking my daughters w/ him to stay the night at his ex wife's house and then to stay the night at his girlfriends house (whom he just started seeing this last month), one night was a school night there. Other times he leaves them w/ his mother while he stays at their houses.

I want to know if this is enough to file for emergency custody and if the judge would even give it to me, w/ my record for DFCS involvement. I have never been arrested for anything. My ex has been arrested over 10 times, mainly for DUI's and twice for hitting his ex wife. I have never been a druggy, up until the end of 2010. I messed up and I am still paying for it. DFCS was done and over w/ Sep. 2011 when my ex and I made the agreement. Should I file for emergency custody or just file for custody modification? I've been told I can do it on my own but I have no idea how, let alone how to word everything on it or what to say to the judge. If I do it on my own, how do I get proof?
 
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Ohiogal

Queen Bee
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

This is a pretty long story, but to get honest answers, I have to tell it all. I have had full custody of my daughters, currently 8 and 9 yrs. old, since they were born. In the later part of 2010 my husband and I started using meth. In January 2011 my family called DFCS (or CPS) on us and our children were removed. Our 2 sons came back 2 months after removal, daughters could not because of a custody case my ex brought against me. Husband and I completed everything for DCFS w/ flying colors so to speak. Never failed a drug test, I admitted we used meth when they first came. Completed 4 months of drug classes, parenting classes, couples therapy. DFCS wanted to drop their case in Summer of 2011 but could not because of the custody case. Judge said they couldn't because if it was found that I am not a good mother, she would not want to have the girls move home just to move back out. So, in September, I made an agreement w/ ex for joint custody w/ him having residential for school. DFCS, Family Focus, and CASA all ended w/ the recommendation that girls return home w/ me the end of this school year because that is what I thought would be best. Custody agreement does not state this though.
Recently learned, from my own investigation, that my ex is serving weekends at our local jail. I became suspicious after dropping them off on Sundays to his mother instead of him. It was hidden from me. I also did a search online so I could see if it would tell me what he was arrested for. It did not. It did show however that he was charged w/ 2 things on the same date. I think it is for DUI for himself and his father who was a passenger in his truck last summer. Daughters told me that he had been at his father's drinking and then they left. He wrecked his truck that night. His father had to get stitches. My daughters were w/ their step mother at that time, thank god. Anyhow, my daughters told me the other day that their father is smoking weed at his girlfriends house in her bedroom. I reported this to police, since he is a weekender. My daughters also stated that a bag of weed fell out of his pocket recently. He told them that weed was o.k. and it is not bad for you. I had to argue for at least 10 minutes telling them it was bad and illegal. Youngest daughter is supposed to be on an inhaler, I asked why don't she bring it anymore, she said she lost it and does not have a new one. It's been at least 1 1/2 months since she's brought it with her. Another incidence that my daughters told me is that they went to the park unsupervised with some other kids and that they were lighting fires and running their hands through it and jumping over it. They have no burns. They say that they get to go out unsupervised a lot. When I call, half of the time their father does not know where they went. He is not watching them. Granted they are 8 and 9, but he should still know where they are. I want to know if this is enough to file for emergency custody and if the judge would even give it to me, w/ my record for DFCS involvement. I have never been arrested for anything. I have never been a druggy, up until the end of 2010. I messed up and I am still paying for it. DFCS was done and over w/ Sep. 2011 when my ex and I made the agreement. Should I file for emergency custody or just file for custody modification? I've been told I can do it on my own but I have no idea how, let alone how to word everything on it or what to say to the judge. If I do it on my own, how do I get proof?

There is no emergency. And making a big deal out of YOUR daughter not having had her inhaler for 1-1/2 months is pretty bad since you have DONE NOTHING to replace it. Hence you are as bad as dad is at this point. You might not get it. You are denial about your issues -- you state you were NEVER a druggie yet you used meth. Guess what? YOU ARE A DRUGGIE. You may be in remission but you are still a druggie. You made the agreement in September 2011 and yet the accident you believe started all this happened BEFORE that? Sorry but that is in no way an emergency. And all you have is hearsay without actual evidence of marijuana use.

IN addition, an agreement to change custody in the future is UNENFORCEABLE.
 

hwest11

Junior Member
I said I was never a druggy until 2010, when I started using meth. So that does say I am a druggy. I am not in denial about anything. I also only get my daughters every other weekend, hence the weekend. Their father is responsible for their health needs. I cannot take her to the DR to get a new inhaler prescribed. I have said something to him about it, and he has not gotten her a new one. And for the accident, I have no proof beyond what my daughters said. My ex and his then wife told me he just wrecked when I asked them about it. Nothing about drinking. I just found out this past week that he is serving weekend time, and when I looked online (last week also) it said he was charged w/ 2 things the same day. I believed him this summer when they said drinking wasn't involved and that he didn't get arrested. I asked then, but was lied to. I called the jail and asked if he was an inmate after becoming suspicious of never seeing him when it's time to drop my daughters off.
 

hwest11

Junior Member
More thoughts

Can I please get some more thoughts on my case? If this isn't grounds for emergency custody, is it grounds to modify custody? What are my chances? DFCS case is the only thing against me. Have been told by 2 lawyers, that know my back history, that I have more than enough to move forward with modifying the custody. I do not know much about emergency custody and I just wanted to get some opinions before I talk to my lawyer about it.
 
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mistoffolees

Senior Member
Can I please get some more thoughts on my case? If this isn't grounds for emergency custody, is it grounds to modify custody? What are my chances? DFCS case is the only thing against me. Have been told by 2 lawyers, that know my back history, that I have more than enough to move forward with modifying the custody. I do not know much about emergency custody and I just wanted to get some opinions before I talk to my lawyer about it.

You have two lawyers - why would you care what you read on a message board like this?

You already got the answer about emergency custody - you don't have grounds. Rely on your attorney(s) for the answers to your other questions.
 

hwest11

Junior Member
I will admit, I was as bad as their father, when I was using drugs. Beyond that, my daughters deserve a lot better than what they are getting from him. It seems like he just uses them to make himself sound like a good man, which he is most definitely is not. I believed all of their mumbo jumbo they gave me during the custody battle. He really seemed like he was growing up and really gave a damn about the girls. Now it's like he could give a crap less about them. It was all for show. I came on here to get opinions based on all facts that I have given. I wanted to know a little more before I go see my lawyer. I currently do not "have" a lawyer, but have talked to my last lawyer and he didn't say much, just that I do have enough. I also talked to this really good lawyer, have an appt. w/ him on the 19th, he said that I have more than enough to pursue the modification, and if I want to do the emergency, he will help me there too. Again, I just want opinions and any help so I know what to talk about w/ my soon to be lawyer.
 

I'mTheFather

Senior Member
I also agree that you have no grounds for emergency custody. I don't see a change of circumstance to modify custody either, especially such a recent order.

No one is saying that your ex is Dad of the Year, but you haven't posted anything that makes him unfit or a danger to the children.

By all means, let us know how it goes on the 19th. I'm curious to know what the lawyer believes are your grounds.

Good luck!
 

Isis1

Senior Member
because the children are not in immortal danger, i will say, emergency custody is pointless.

the child is not dying without the inhaler. MOM, got get a new one. first thing Monday morning. just do it.

the children playing in the park. they didn't burn themselves or the park down.

dad allowing the kids to run around the neighborhood, perfectly acceptable.

dad making arrangements while he is in custody? that's smart parenting. i've seen stories of parents that just lock up the house and leave the kids inside alone for days at a time.

what you CAN request is an increase in time with the children while dad is serving time.
 

hwest11

Junior Member
Reasons are:
illegal drug use
arrest
not watching children
failure to supply necessary medical needs
subjecting children to his promiscuity (he takes them with to his new girlfriends and stays the night)
his wife left (i don't know if that counts)
again, he doesn't know where they are or what they are doing. Kids like to wander, I know, but you should know where they are at all times. A friends, the park, etc...

These are all substantial reasons to modify custody. Court can order drug testing to prove the drug use. My daughters can talk to the judge about what they told me. He has no excuse for not giving my daughter a new inhaler. There is also no reason he should be taking my daughters w/ him to his very new girlfriend's house so he can do his business w/ her. He bounces them around between her house and his ex wife's. They smoke weed at her girlfriends house, w/ her kids and mine there. WEED IS AN ILLEGAL DRUG. There is also no excuse why he told my daughters that weed is good. Meth is understandably worse, I know this. There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do to change what I have done. I agreed on the custody because I believed my daughters would be o.k. there. Not subjected to a bunch of sh*t. They are 8 and 9 years old. They need to have someone that will teach them good morals.
 
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hwest11

Junior Member
I should add that my youngest daughter was born 9 weeks premature and her lungs are not the greatest.
 

I'mTheFather

Senior Member
Reasons are:
illegal drug use
arrest
not watching children
failure to supply necessary medical needs
subjecting children to his promiscuity (he takes them with to his new girlfriends and stays the night)
his wife left (i don't know if that counts)
again, he doesn't know where they are or what they are doing. Kids like to wander, I know, but you should know where they are at all times. A friends, the park, etc...

These are all substantial reasons to modify custody. Court can order drug testing to prove the drug use. My daughters can talk to the judge about what they told me. He has no excuse for not giving my daughter a new inhaler. There is also no reason he should be taking my daughters w/ him to his very new girlfriend's house so he can do his business w/ her. He bounces them around between her house and his ex wife's. They smoke weed at her girlfriends house, w/ her kids and mine there. WEED IS AN ILLEGAL DRUG. There is also no excuse why he told my daughters that weed is good. Meth is understandably worse, I know this. There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do to change what I have done. I agreed on the custody because I believed my daughters would be o.k. there. Not subjected to a bunch of sh*t. They are 8 and 9 years old. They need to have someone that will teach them good morals, not someone who uses them to get laid.

Okay, now I don't believe you. I don't believe that a lawyer told you there's a chance. The bolded just made that clear to me.


And no, those are not substantial reasons to modify custody.
 

hwest11

Junior Member
I did not intentionally make that bold, just to be clear. The reasons I listed is what I said, not my lawyer. I told my lawyer everything and he replied that
"You have more than enough issues to move forward. You must determine if you want to go forward and if you are ready to handle the attorney fees and cost. I am willing to assist and set another appointment when you are ready to retain us and move forward" John R
When I emailed him back about emergency custody, this is what he said:
"I can file for an emergency but the Crt will not temporarily change anything without a hearing….. I must have a minimum of $1000.00 to file. If it takes U a few more weeks that is your call….. Hope to see U in the immediate future. John r. "
He is a very good custody lawyer in Northwest Indiana. I have researched him a lot. Reasons for him talking about money is because I was asking him about it. I am not rich, so I was trying to see how much he would accept to get started.
The other lawyer I talked to said yes, it was enough too. Supposed to have appt. w/ him this Monday but he had to reschedule because he has court. He is finding out exactly what it was that my ex was arrested for and when.
 

I'mTheFather

Senior Member
the children playing in the park. they didn't burn themselves or the park down.

LOL, when I was about 9 or 10, my friends and I started a fire in the field behind my house. Fire department was called, we all got in trouble, though nothing too serious.

I guess I'm lucky that I didn't become a ward of the state, huh?

Funny thing is, my parents were pretty strict and protective!
 

hwest11

Junior Member
Another thing about him watching them, my oldest shaved her bangs off a few months ago at his house. He just found out in December when she was at her ex step mothers and the step mothers friend was doing her hair. I know you're going to say that I should have told him, but I've been suspicious about how good he is at watching them and paying attention to them. I wanted to test him and see how long it took before he noticed. He only found out by being told by his ex. This is not a reason to take them from him, I know this. Just wanted to share how "good" of a father he is and how much attention he pays to his daughters. The problem with here and court, nobody knows him that matters. I can get on stand and talk about when he beat my ass, or how he beat up his pregnant wife, or how many drugs he's been on, or how many times he's been arrested, the people he hangs out w/, but none of it would matter when I only have evidence of some of it, as in his arrests. When I was still with him, he said he would be the one to smoke weed with my daughters, because you never know what you're getting. It could be laced. I will remember that to my dying day. Especially now that my daughters told me what he said to them. You think I'm full of ****, come meet him.
 

hwest11

Junior Member
He brags on Facebook about hitting his last wife. He is still the same man that I was with years ago. I was foolish enough to believe he changed. I talked to his last wife when they were together and she said that things were better there. That he walks away instead of hitting her. Found that out to be crap by looking at his facebook. I should have seen it was just for court and he really didn't change any of his ways. It was just for show. But anyway, this website is bull. You can sit there and judge me on my ONE mistake, but each of you that replied don't seem to get what I say about him. He doesn't take care of my daughters. His mother does. I thank god for her being there. As for his mother, she is afraid of him. He is violent. Stupid me believed the lies. He broke his own grandmother's
arm by shoving her down, so forget this. He's been in more fights than anyone I've ever known.
 

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