No visitation being allowed

[clevegreg]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

I am the Father of two girls, current ages 13 and 12 who reside with their Mother about 35 miles from where I live. My perception is that I had a good relationship with both of them up until the last time I saw them, which was in November of 2006. I would typically see them about 2 times a month on a weekend day, picking them up and dropping them off at their Mothers home. The next time I called to set up a visit, I was told by my Ex-Wife that the children no longer wished to see me, and I have been unable to contact them except via email (rarely) since then.

I have been disabled for the past 6 years receiving both LTD from work, and througth the SSDI program. My diagnosis is Major Depression with psychotic symtoms. I have been, and continue to be, under the care of a MD and a licensed Counselor, and take appropriate medication as prescribed. Both of them say that they are confident that I would be "safe" around the kids, and would testify to that if necessary. They also worry, however, that fighting this might increase my stress levels potentially causing my symptoms to bet worse.

I have paid Child Support the entire time we have been divorced, and the kids now receive payment through SSDI.

I would really like to see my children. I have offered, via my Ex-Wife, to see them at a counselor's office etc. essentially offering to do whatever I need to do to make the situation workable. My Ex-Wife maintains that it is the KIDS and not her that have stopped the visitation process.

I am trying not to be too wordy here, but I want to cover all the pertinent issues.

My Ex-Wife and her Family are very wealthy and own numerous companies, including a Law Firm. They are also very politically conected both locally and at the Stae and National level. I have had "my butt" handed to me every time something came up in court, such as Child Support Order modifications.

Given my current financial situation, it would be extremely- difficult for me to pay for an attorney, since it appears a Court Order on Visitaion is what I think I need to have.

Any thoughts on this matter will be appreciated.

Greg

 

[Silverplum]

So you don't have ANY court ordered parenting time??
But you DO have court ordered child support?

 

[clevegreg]

That would be correct, it was never an issue until this started to happen.

 

[Silverplum]

That would be correct, it was never an issue until this started to happen.

File a motion to establish your parenting time. You're probably going to need an attorney to set it up for you, unless you are really good at absorbing info. We have an awesome poster here, Ohiogal, who is an attorney in OH. You could search her posts for info. Seek info online. But we can't fill out forms for you, or anything, ok?

You'll GET the parenting time, I can assure you. You just have to file for it and establish it, legally. Then she can't deny you any more without facing sanctions.

 

[clevegreg]

Thank you for the information. I know that I can find the forms on-line via the local Court website. I guess I am "afraid" that she will contest and delay every step of the process, like she has done with child support issues, and cause my attorney bill to skyrocket. I just know that I love my kids and miss seeing them. I guess I'll figure something out.

Greg

 

[Silverplum]

Thank you for the information. I know that I can find the forms on-line via the local Court website. I guess I am "afraid" that she will contest and delay every step of the process, like she has done with child support issues, and cause my attorney bill to skyrocket. I just know that I love my kids and miss seeing them. I guess I'll figure something out.

Greg

She might. But she'll make a fool of herself in the process, and diminish herself in the judge's eyes. She can't do much, considering she's (legally) taking your money for the children. Bimbo.

Good luck to you, Greg. You'll be able to do this quite simply, I would think. You could always check back to see if Ohiogal has responded to this thread.

 

[wileybunch]

I agree with Silverplum, but there are also plenty of ways another party can drag a case on and make it very stressful for you, that is true. Your providers are afraid it will kick up symptoms in you. Good call on their part. These situations can be terribly frustrating, but you have to first have faith you are doing the right thing and you and the kids deserve to have a relationship, you should be realistic that it's not going to be easy but that you won't have any regrets, and you should plan to see your counselor or see him more than you already do at times b/c when these situations get ugly, even a "perfectly sane" person can feel crazy.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

I am the Father of two girls, current ages 13 and 12 who reside with their Mother about 35 miles from where I live. My perception is that I had a good relationship with both of them up until the last time I saw them, which was in November of 2006. I would typically see them about 2 times a month on a weekend day, picking them up and dropping them off at their Mothers home. The next time I called to set up a visit, I was told by my Ex-Wife that the children no longer wished to see me, and I have been unable to contact them except via email (rarely) since then.

I have been disabled for the past 6 years receiving both LTD from work, and througth the SSDI program. My diagnosis is Major Depression with psychotic symtoms. I have been, and continue to be, under the care of a MD and a licensed Counselor, and take appropriate medication as prescribed. Both of them say that they are confident that I would be "safe" around the kids, and would testify to that if necessary. They also worry, however, that fighting this might increase my stress levels potentially causing my symptoms to bet worse.

I have paid Child Support the entire time we have been divorced, and the kids now receive payment through SSDI.

I would really like to see my children. I have offered, via my Ex-Wife, to see them at a counselor's office etc. essentially offering to do whatever I need to do to make the situation workable. My Ex-Wife maintains that it is the KIDS and not her that have stopped the visitation process.

I am trying not to be too wordy here, but I want to cover all the pertinent issues.

My Ex-Wife and her Family are very wealthy and own numerous companies, including a Law Firm. They are also very politically conected both locally and at the Stae and National level. I have had "my butt" handed to me every time something came up in court, such as Child Support Order modifications.

Given my current financial situation, it would be extremely- difficult for me to pay for an attorney, since it appears a Court Order on Visitaion is what I think I need to have.

Any thoughts on this matter will be appreciated.

Greg

What county are you in?

 

[clevegreg]

Hi OhioGal

I live in Cuyahoga, but the children and all legal activities are in Summit Cty. ( Akron)

 

[Ohiogal]

OKay Summit County has all their forms online. They also require mediation for all custody issues that are disputed. So I would suggest you file -- if the order is in Summit -- for mediation. Go to drcourt.org/forms and find the one requesting mediation. Fill that out and file it to get you and your ex into mediation. It should not cost anything or at least be only minimal.

The kids are NOt allowed to stop the visitation process. Does nto work that way. Even with the standard Summit County plan the children still must see you at least once a week. Have you attempted your visitation and she has denied or have you just taken her word for it?

 

[clevegreg]

Thanks for the info. I have tried many times to see my kids. I normally call first, but no one answers the phone, which is weird since I have an unlisted number and caller ID wouldn't show it is me.

I have left MANY voice mails and the only response I have from my ex is a message on my cell phone ( which I saved) saying the kids don't want to see me, so quit bothering me. I guess it is passive resistance.

I will get the forms and give this a shot. I love my kids and miss them alot.

Greg

 

[ProSeDadinMD]

....I will get the forms and give this a shot. I love my kids and miss them alot.
Greg

Sorry to interject into this, but I HAVE(have to, have to, have to) to ask.

Am I really the only DAD who would let this go for about 3 seconds before I did something about it?

Is that really possible?

 

[clevegreg]

Thanks again, but I am a bit confused as to which form to use. One last bit of help please

 

[clevegreg]

Sorry to interject into this, but I HAVE(have to, have to, have to) to ask.

Am I really the only DAD who would let this go for about 3 seconds before I did something about it?

Is that really possible?

To be frank, my health and financial condition was a major determent from me taking legal action. I also believed her, until I found this site, that the kids COULD decide that they didn't want to see me. I also really thought at some point she would start allowing me visitation again.

Her family carries so much weight in the area that it is hard to get any decent Lawyer representation because no one wants to "tick them off".

 

[ProSeDadinMD]

I also believed her, until I found this site, that the kids COULD decide that they didn't want to see me.".

Hey, I've had my own moronic moments in the past(and not proud of any of them), but do you really expect me(or anybody else for that matter) to believe this? Your kids are 12 and 13. C'mon....