Chrln_little
Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Maryland
I am sure that you guys have seen a few posts on this board over the last few years. Unfortunately, I am here again.
Today a court appointed paper server knocked on my door. I was not home, my mom was watching my kids while I was at work. She said the court appointed paper server had a nasty attitude and kept demanding that he heard me inside the house. She thought that this was a little odd, but figured maybe it was his first day and he was all happy about serving papers. He kept saying "I've been waiting to do this my whole life."
After I heard the description of the man, he sounds familiar and I think it was one of my ex's family members. Which makes more sense than a really happy paper server.
Anyways, I digress. My ex yet again filed for custody of my two oldest boys, the only two that I have with him. He has been absent for four years other than seeing them once or twice. Both times he was forced to do so by his girlfriend. He only kept them for a few hours both times.
A few months ago, he called and asked if he could see the kids. Since we don't have a custody order, I explained to him that popping in and out of their lives is detrimental to their development. I told him that in order for us to work out an agreement for visitation, he had to be a constant in their lives. Popping in and out was not going to happen anymore. Now, his girlfriend has pushed him into filing for custody because she wants him to be a dad and I am "screwing him out of his time with them." Unfortunately, this girl does not know the circumstances, or the man he used to be. I am not sure if he has changed, but she has only known him for a year and is making assumptions about things that she couldn't even pretend to know. Of course he will not tell her the whole story.
Since he has been absent for the last 4 1/2 years (other than the two short visits), does he have a chance to get full custody or would visitation be more likely? Could you tell me what paperwork I need to bring to court, and what I should ignore. I have no desire to prove him an unfit father, even though a quick print out of a criminal record might bring him pretty close. I just want to ensure that he does not get full custody of my children.
I am sure that you guys have seen a few posts on this board over the last few years. Unfortunately, I am here again.
Today a court appointed paper server knocked on my door. I was not home, my mom was watching my kids while I was at work. She said the court appointed paper server had a nasty attitude and kept demanding that he heard me inside the house. She thought that this was a little odd, but figured maybe it was his first day and he was all happy about serving papers. He kept saying "I've been waiting to do this my whole life."
After I heard the description of the man, he sounds familiar and I think it was one of my ex's family members. Which makes more sense than a really happy paper server.
Anyways, I digress. My ex yet again filed for custody of my two oldest boys, the only two that I have with him. He has been absent for four years other than seeing them once or twice. Both times he was forced to do so by his girlfriend. He only kept them for a few hours both times.
A few months ago, he called and asked if he could see the kids. Since we don't have a custody order, I explained to him that popping in and out of their lives is detrimental to their development. I told him that in order for us to work out an agreement for visitation, he had to be a constant in their lives. Popping in and out was not going to happen anymore. Now, his girlfriend has pushed him into filing for custody because she wants him to be a dad and I am "screwing him out of his time with them." Unfortunately, this girl does not know the circumstances, or the man he used to be. I am not sure if he has changed, but she has only known him for a year and is making assumptions about things that she couldn't even pretend to know. Of course he will not tell her the whole story.
Since he has been absent for the last 4 1/2 years (other than the two short visits), does he have a chance to get full custody or would visitation be more likely? Could you tell me what paperwork I need to bring to court, and what I should ignore. I have no desire to prove him an unfit father, even though a quick print out of a criminal record might bring him pretty close. I just want to ensure that he does not get full custody of my children.
