My question involves a child custody case from the State of: INDIANA
Quick history/overview of divorce:
-joint custody
-I have primary residential of our 2 children for 6 years
-he regularly pays child support accordingly
-flexible visitation schedule agreed upon in lieu of IN state guidelines due to his irregular extensive travel schedule
-i have ALWAYS accommodated his visitation requests
-father visited 1 weekend in the last 4 months - typical rare visits
-I have remarried 2yrs ago & have a financially/emotionally stable home w/ other step children in the home.
A little more drama:
-he constantly makes negative derogatory remarks about me, how much $$ I 'take' from him, bad e-mails, etc about me to the child(without merit or reason other than his own unresolved anger)
-child was in counseling with abandonment/anger issues
-i am the 'bad guy' although the provider of a stable, loving, supportive environment
-after repeated unheeded requests for him to cease, I filed legal complaint to make him to stop, even brought the e-mail PROOF! -the lovely judge ordered BOTH of us to attend a parenting class
PROBLEM:
He is currently trying to persuade this same child (age 13 -soon to be 14yrs) to come live with him in a nearby town. He told her that "when you are 14 you can decide for yourself & tell the judge you want to live with me".
He is rarely home, always traveling, however has recently remarried his next victim and now they have a new baby. With his replacement family intact he feels that the kids should come & live there, despite his absence.
QUESTION:
--Is this true? Can a minor child 14yrs IN state go before a judge to state their wishes of residence?
--Is his continuous absence a factor even though there is a new 'step parent & new baby step-sibling"? Our child minimally knows this woman as there has been so little overall visitation and exposure to her.
-- What are my options??
--As a lawyer, what you YOU do??!!
Thanks,
Z


