CRAZY turn of events..

[Hopin4daBest]

NJ's in the house on temp order since 9/2011...She changed all utilities to her name..In court the other day, she got ripped (& I mean RIPPED) by the GAL for:

-Causing problems at the exchanges (Bringing the cops there even though my family facilitates the exchange, not me personally).

-Pulling S8 out of school all last week to go to her parents, and not notifying me, or anyone for that matter (I only found out by calling the school on a gut feeling).

-And basically for causing alienation to me.

Her lawyer also submitted her paperwork to withdraw, but GAL & judge told her, "Sorry, we need you to represent NJ for one more month until she finds a new lawyer."

NJ's lawyer looked STUNNED to hear that. Was literally biting her lips.

NJ started dramatically digging through her purse DURING the hearing, to the point where sheriff came over and told her to knock it off.

NOW TODAY: S8 calls me and says there is no running water in the house.

[Hopin4daBest]

I called my lawyer yesterday am and left a message. Still hasn't called back. I was trying to ask him if he thought I should just pay the bill, or leave it be and use it as grounds for neglect on an emergency motion.

What do you think?

[Trevor]

I think you go get the kid and leave the water bill for his mother to handle. When she sorts out her life, then she might be in a position to care for kids.

[BartSimpson]

You called your lawyer about this?

And asked if you should pay your STBX's water bill?

You are going to be hemmoraging cash if you keep that up. This might be time to actually define what you can do, and what you can't do. Who you can change, and who you can't change.

[Hopin4daBest]

Trevor, I'm still trying to dig myself out of EOW..And btw, there's two kids: S8 & S1.
And so I seemingly have a lawyer who won't return my call, compounded by the fact that he told me the other day that he: "Will only do what the GAL says.."
So when I told him NOT to request a psych eval for NJ, guess what he said to the judge when we got up in front of him..
"Your honor, I think we need a psych eval on mom."

Facepalm. Just bizarre to say the least. So now here I am with this water bill situation, and he doesn't return my call to let me know what's going on.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like he's going to do a surprise withdrawal on me on the next court date. This is what my first lawyer did, smh.

I don't get it. I'm not even a pain in the a** type of client. I call or text maybe once a week. Is it because my case is sort of difficult and unique/stressful due to my severely schizophrenic NJ??

[Hopin4daBest]

Bart, yes. When S8 told me on the phone that he can't shower or use the bathroom, it got a rise out of me. But I see your point.

[BartSimpson]

Actually, your post about your lawyer issues has me seeing your point.

You called in a continuing manner regarding other matters and this one. Appropriate.

But the advice stands - except now for your lawyer picking (which seems to be this week's theme).

So, hypothetically, if S8 called and said no water - and you immediately went and picked him up - what would have happened?

[Hopin4daBest]

Picked him up outside of my scheduled EOW?? My NJ would put out an amber alert and send swat after me.
And....Then.... I'd probably be in contempt of violating court ordered < parenting time > schedule.

[defaultuser]

Call the cops and have them to a wellness check.

I'd also contact the X and let her know that the kids would probably be better off with you for the next few days until she gets an adequate place to live. When/if she refuses, she'll really look bad in court.

Then, your new lawyer should file an emergency motion for a modification of your temporary schedule.

Have you contacted the GAL about the current situation?

[Trevor]

Dude, read your divorce decree. My money's on the fact that it states EOW is a minimum parenting time, not the maximum. They are your kids, start acting like it.

I would pick up my kids all the time to go eat, work on homework, see a movie, hang out, take them places, whatever. Mine were older but as long as you are the father and mom isn't available to be with them, they deserve to be with you rather than a babysitter. You just need to let her know (once you have the kids) so she isn't surprised when she shows up after work at the day care and no kids are there. And make sure you are acting reasonably about getting the kids back to mom.

Come on man, wake up.