Question:
I suffer from bipolar disorder and am in the middle of a child custody case. My wife and her attorney are using my health against me.
Can they do this? What can I do to defend myself?
Answer:
I am not licensed to practice law in your state. Therefore, I cannot inform you as to the specific laws of your state and can only provide you with general information concerning divorce and child custody.
In most states, the court can consider many different factors when deciding the custody of a child. That could include your health and your bipolar disorder.
The court may decide to consider your health and bipolar disorder; but you can also present evidence on those issues. You can get documentation of positive aspects of your health and what you are doing to maintain the best health you can. You can also get documents related to what you are doing to treat and control your bipolar disorder – if you are on medications, you can get a print out from your pharmacy showing that you fill your prescriptions regularly.
You can also get your doctors to testify about your physical/mental health.
You should also look into whether the Judge will speak to your daughter and find out from her where she would like to live. Some courts consider the child’s opinion when they reach a certain age; some do not.
Remember, I am unable to provide you with anything more than general divorce and child custody tips, so please consult a domestic litigation attorney in your area to obtain specific advice as to the laws in your state and how they impact your circumstances.
To arrange an initial consultation to discuss divorce rights for men with a Cordell & Cordell attorney, including Utah divorce lawyer Dena L. Morgan, contact Cordell & Cordell.
