Many thanks and an update
Last edited Fri Aug 4, 2023, 05:44 PM - Edit history (1)
on my daughter's situation. Today was the first court date to see if her ex husband would get what he wanted (a return to 50-50 parenting time for their boys). It was also the date she set to reach her goal of $2500 for a retainer. She reached that goal last night, thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and community (including some wonderful folks here on DU). She and I are incredibly grateful for the assistance and the boost in morale you've given her.
In court, her ex husband's attorney asked to have the parenting question moved from criminal court to family court, as my daughter and grandsons currently have an order of protection due to the pending criminal case (her ex's domestic abuse of their eldest son). That jury trial is set for mid October. Today's judge seemed disinclined to move/separate the two questions, which clearly bothered my daughter's ex husband's attorney. However, in spite of the fact that it is unusual, the judge did agree to discuss moving/separating it with the criminal trial judge, and he did assign a guardian ad litem for the boys. Next court date is set for mid September, and in the interim, the order of protection remains in effect, so the boys don't have to see their father. That means that the youngest will turn 14 in the meantime, so his desires become more important to the court. It also means any decisions will be only one month from the criminal trial date, so a continuance might make more sense at that point. We shall see.
All of this to say thank you for the support you have shown with your words, kicks, recs, and funds. It has meant so much to us.
