Putting siblings on different parenting time schedules

Question: Per our divorce decree, I have scheduled parenting time with my two sons every other weekend. My older son has developmental problems and often needs to return to his mother’s before the weekend is over while his younger brother stays with me. My ex-wife is now saying that if …

Modifying parenting time agreements because of a new job

Question: My ex-wife asked the court to modify our parenting plan agreement because her new job won’t allow her to have the children on her current days. My situation has not changed. Will the court modify the order and give her parenting time on different days even if it causes …

How to deal with parenting time over Spring Break

Question: My parenting plan states that for spring break the child is to be in my ex-wife’s care from the time school is dismissed for Spring Break, though Spring Break technically starts on a Monday. I think I should have my child for the scheduled weekend and then my ex …

Fighting for Parenting Time: The Myth of Fragile Families

By Robert Ferrer Archivist and Principle Researcher, Children’s Rights Council of Illinois I mentioned in my previous column how misinformation prevails among those who are responsible for the next generation of policy in family law even though they claim that their views are formed after “careful study.” Objections to a …

Right of first refusal clause and paying for childcare

Question: My divorce decree reads “any child care expenses incurred because either party must work will be paid 65% by the Husband and 35% by the Wife.” If I am available to watch my children while my ex is at work and she sends them to childcare, do I still …

Are psychologist fees a necessary medical expense?

Question: Our divorce judgment stats that we are to split the co-pays and miscellaneous medical bills for our children. My ex-wife has been taking my son to a psychologist against my objections and now I am being billed for thousands of dollars. Psychologist fees are not specifically addressed in our …

Does moving post-divorce change the jurisdiction?

Question: Our divorce and child support order was entered in one state (Missouri) where I currently live. My ex-wife and children now live in another state (Indiana) and I am about to move to another state as well (Michigan). How do I go about changing which state will handle the …

My wife won the child custody case based on lies

Question: My ex had me committed to a psyche evaluation against my will via the sheriff, in an affidavit based on perjured statements. This evaluation and affidavit set the tone and had me paying for a second evaluation and placed me under supervised visitation for 6 months. I have since …

Denied visitation but still expected to pay child support

Question: After we divorced, my wife disappeared with my son who I haven’t been able to see in many years. Since I haven’t been allowed my court-ordered visitation rights, I quit paying child support. Why should I pay child support for a son I’m never allowed to see? Now the …

How To Avoid Holiday Disasters

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell Living in two homes, new schedules and spending time away from a parent are hard enough for kids dealing with divorce. These stresses seem to amplify during the holidays, especially if parents are fighting over who spends the most holiday time with …