State is FL.
Mom is in VA. Custodial father is in FL. FL holds jurisdiction. Father has had custody for 5 years at the end of this month. Mom disappeared for 4.5 of those years. No contact at all for those 4.5 years.
We (dad and me~stepmom) think Mom is getting ready to fight for custody again. Fat chance, but we want the family intact. SD is 11. From everything I've read and relayed to hubby, FL won't listen to a child until age 12.
SD is getting pretty messed up by what Mom is saying, and has expressed to both of us that she wants to stay put in FL. Mom's hubby is active duty military and will most likely move around a bit before he gets out or retires. Dad is retired military. We don't plan on moving at all.
Hubby's insurance pays for psych visits. SD had regular counselling for 2 years after he got custody. We are planning on finding another psych pronto as she needs a non-biased outside party to talk to and listen to.
Hubby brought up the idea of a GAL to speak on her behalf should Mom try for custody. We know nothing about GALs or the FL courts relationship with the GAL.
Would a psych's word be better or just as good as a GAL's word in court?
I know step parents have no rights to their stepkids. I know step parents are supposed to stay out of this kind of thing. I've helped to raise this kiddo for 5 years. She was 5 and a half when hubby got custody. She's like one of my own and I don't want to lose her to Mom or anyone else for that matter.
Trying not to ramble, but hoping I got the pertinent info in there. Any further info needed, just ask.
Thanks,
Carol.
Mom is in VA. Custodial father is in FL. FL holds jurisdiction. Father has had custody for 5 years at the end of this month. Mom disappeared for 4.5 of those years. No contact at all for those 4.5 years.
We (dad and me~stepmom) think Mom is getting ready to fight for custody again. Fat chance, but we want the family intact. SD is 11. From everything I've read and relayed to hubby, FL won't listen to a child until age 12.
SD is getting pretty messed up by what Mom is saying, and has expressed to both of us that she wants to stay put in FL. Mom's hubby is active duty military and will most likely move around a bit before he gets out or retires. Dad is retired military. We don't plan on moving at all.
Hubby's insurance pays for psych visits. SD had regular counselling for 2 years after he got custody. We are planning on finding another psych pronto as she needs a non-biased outside party to talk to and listen to.
Hubby brought up the idea of a GAL to speak on her behalf should Mom try for custody. We know nothing about GALs or the FL courts relationship with the GAL.
Would a psych's word be better or just as good as a GAL's word in court?
I know step parents have no rights to their stepkids. I know step parents are supposed to stay out of this kind of thing. I've helped to raise this kiddo for 5 years. She was 5 and a half when hubby got custody. She's like one of my own and I don't want to lose her to Mom or anyone else for that matter.
Trying not to ramble, but hoping I got the pertinent info in there. Any further info needed, just ask.
Thanks,
Carol.