NJ in rehab

[Trevor]

Yeah, so don't die.

[lukesdad1]

I'm not planning on dying any time soon. I've always lived a fit and healthy life, but now i'm really stepping it up. I really ought to walk around in a bubble.

Does anyone know of any precedents where a step parent has been given parenting rights over a bio-parent?

[Trevor]

Don't get too far ahead of yourself. While can't cite case law, you're probably talking incarceration, sex offense against children convictions, drug- and/or firearm-related convictions, documented drug or alcohol abuse that links directly to child endangerment. Stuff like that.

[Fatheroffour]

First the parent must have their parental rights terminated. Then someone else may adopt the child.

It's the same process I went through when I adopted my son.

[lukesdad1]

I'm telling myself to slow down....

[minuette]

I'm not planning on dying any time soon. I've always lived a fit and healthy life, but now i'm really stepping it up. I really ought to walk around in a bubble.

Does anyone know of any precedents where a step parent has been given parenting rights over a bio-parent?

I know of a woman (on another board) who was awarded sole legal and physical custody of her step-daughters during her divorce, despite there being two living bio-parents contesting custody. Browse through the published appellate opinions in your state for cases that have awarded custody to a psychological parent over a biological parent.

If this is something that concerns you greatly, beef up your life insurance so your wife can wage total legal war in the event of your death.

[lukesdad1]

I've already done the life insurance. I'm pretty sure that my wife and my boy's grandparents would never stop fighting for him. I'm just a born worrier.

[lukesdad1]

My head's spinning!

I just talked to NJ. She's leaving for this "facility" next week. There is no medical staff, so she's detoxing before she leaves. The treatment consists of Bible study, diet modification and "Christian counseling". For a year!

She said that her lawyer is filing for a suspension of child support payments. How in the world is that possible?! So she gets to abdicate her parental responsibility and go on vacation? WTF?! I'm so pissed right now.

Somebody please talk me down before i start punching stuff.

[Fatheroffour]

You must learn to accept what you cannot control.

Well, you don't have to but there's not much sympathy for those that bring drama upon themselves. Smile and wave goodbye and hope that you don't actually have to see her for a year, object to the CS mod and have a nice day.

[Trevor]

Agreed that you try not to get wrapped around the axle. This isn't rehab, it's a voluntary holiday from reality. While it would probably be taken seriously here in the south, where law degrees from universities that require you to read only one book are respected, the fact that there is no medical or psychological staff there disqualifies it from being a real rehab facility, and your lawyer can probably make short work of the objection to a CS modification.