Getting Custody from Arkansas to Florida

[Dogmatique]

I think that I disagree with you on this one Pro. The children are not actually living with dad, they are living with stepmom and seeing dad once a month or so.

So what is more in the best interest of the children? Seeing any parent once a month? Or seeing at least one parent every day but being supervised by that parent's significant other overnight 4 nights a week? Neither situation is ideal, but I am leaning in the favor of seeing at least one of their parents every day.

Also, I am unclear about the custody situation. From what she described its possible that custody was never formally established.

They've lived there in the SAME SITUATION.

They are living in Dad's home, and have lived in that EXACT SAME situation for a considerable length of time. You cannot seriously be telling me that its in their best interest to be swept up from everything they know to go and live with the parent who works 12 hour shifts and won't have much down time at all?

Whether custody is established or not isn't the point here and you know it. And I'm sorry, but I'm calling you out on this one - only a few months ago you gave the pretty much the same response as I did here, to another poster in an extremely similar situation except ... he was Dad. Not Mom.

[donijo23]

Mr. Knowitall,
A) The current custody orders are joint custody with my ex-husband as the domicile parent. B) I do not know how to answer that because I am not sure exactly what it means, sorry.

As far as my ex-husbands work goes. He will get a job close to home for the time being, but will go off and work again after all is said and done because his lifestyle requires more money than he would make working close to home.

Also, I have no problem going back and fourth to Arkansas for court. It would be difficult, but I am sure I would find a way.

Ohiogal,

I was incorrect about how long it has been, it will be 10 years in January. My youngest was born in November and we split perminately in January.

Dogmatique,

I understand that that have lived with their father in the same situation for so long. I deal with that on a daily basis, but that is part of the problem in my kids eyes. I would not be sweeping them out of everything they know when they are the ones that want to come here. Also, I work 4 days a week, during the time they would be sleeping, and I would be sleeping during the time they are at school. We would have a lot of time together. 3 full days a week, not to mention every other weekend. Also on the days that I work I would see them after school up until the time I had to leave for work and I would be there in the morning to get them up and ready for school. I am sorry but that is much more than a weekend a month that they get with their dad, and he doesnt always come home every month. I am not trying to be rude but you are making it seem like I will never be around, and I will be there every day.

P.S. my spelling is not the best and I cannnot use spell check at work. Sorry

[Dogmatique]

By all means, find an attorney and take Dad to court. I think status quo will carry an enormous amount of weight in this case, and your daughters may not even get the chance to express their preference at all, but it's up to you and if Dad can choose to "stick around" and start working closer to home, that might be the nail in the coffin.

You're also asking to take them out of state - permanently. Sorry, but nothing you have said changes my opinion.

[donijo23]

Thank you for your opinion. Now I will read the opinions of others and see if they can tell me anything helpful and go from there.