Friday, January 2, 2009

Good Girls Don't.........

Sorry that it's taken me so long to get back here. I've had a ton to write about but I've been lacking the discipline it takes to sit at the computer and get it all out. I'll try harder this year.

The wife and I went before the judge in a preliminary hearing to establish temporary custody and support issues. The ruling gave me most of what we were asking for and I believe that the judge did what he thought was best for the girls. My wife told me that she was planning on appealing the judgement and when that didn't work they would be asking for a stay that would basically delay any action ordered by the judge. This is all about the money. The judge ruled that she owed me money retroactive to the order and she doesn't want to pay. Not much to do about it but to let the system do it's job.

We've been given 50/50 custody (both legal and physical) of the girls for now. I'm pretty happy with the way things were laid out in the court order. The judge asked that we both try to work together when making legal decisions for the girls and if we reached an issue that we could not agree upon we were each given the power to make the final decision in certain areas. For example, if we could not agree on what school the girls would go to next year then my wife would have the power to make the final decision. Likewise, if we disagreed on a health issue then I would have the final say. I had not unheard of it being done this way as it promotes communication between the parents.

Physical custody of the girls is a 7/7 schedule meaning that the girls are with me one week then with the wife the following week. Neither the wife nor I feel that this is working for the girls so we are discussing alternatives. The professionals I have talked to seem to feel that 7 days is too long for a child to go without seeing the other parent and I agree. Nikki appears to be 'ok' but I think it's much harder on Jessie. Anyway, my wife and I with the help of the custody evaluator are working towards a schedule that is better for the girls.

So this has been more of a legal update. I will fill you all in on the more personal stuff next time.

Jacob if you're reading this I wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks boss, I appreciate it :)

Anonymous said...

OH, but good girls do...

MDStayathomefather said...

Yes they do. Thank you for reminding me.