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Question about Child Custody

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 3/18/2012 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this issue. I recently left my very controlling husband after 9 years with him. I took our 2 kids with me when I left. I'm living 3 hours from him so he is very unhappy about this as anyone would be. His lawyer has told him that he can get custody of the kids and prove me an unfit mother based on the fact that I'm bipolar 1. I've never had trouble taking care of the kids and have no record being in the hospital for my bipolar. They are probing me with a ton of questions like how they want all my meds i've been on in the past 5 years and crap like that. I can't believe all the questions I'm being asked by this lawyer.

What I'm wondering is, does he have any leg to stand on?? Do I have to be worried that this is a possibility?? I live in Indiana if that matters at all.

Thanks!
Posted 3/19/2012 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I live in WA and my children were 15 and 13 at the time of my divorce. But my lawyer assured me that my ex wouldn't get custody based on my Bipolar 1. I had been hospitalized for a week about 6 months before we went to court. It never came up in the big questioner that I had to answer or in court. However, that could be because my ex was trying to get to my family money and probably didn't care if he got custody of the kids. Good luck, I hope that it goes your way.
Posted 3/19/2012 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
My divorcer lawyer told me that mental illness cannot be used against you in child custody if you are in treatment and not psychotic.  I am in WI.

I believe he is trying to control you still.  Don't let him scare you.  Don't let him cause any bipolar symptoms.

Be good to you and give your babies some love from me.  :)

Posted 3/19/2012 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
Do you have a lawyer, Jeny? I think it would be extremely helpful for you, and in some states in which divorce is being filed, the estranged husband is required to pay the wife's legal fees.

I would suggest that you go in to chat with one. You may find that it's the most secure thing you can do to protect yourself and your children.

If you're going to be filing for a divorce, you're going to need one, anyway, so why not make yourself comfortable and not have to deal with the estranged husband's view of things?


If it's his lawyer who is confronting you, you definitely need legal aid.  If it's just your husband's efforts, that may be something a lawyer could give you a one-visit answer to settle your questions.

It's Genetic
Posted 3/20/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all! It's Genetic, to answer your questions....yes I have a lawyer, I'm actually the one who filled for divorce in the first place. My lawyer has assured me that he can't get the kids, but his lawyer has assured him that he will get the kids...so that's why i'm worried.

tortoise, I think your right in that he's still trying to control me...I can't let him and I won't let him send me into a manic episode. I haven't had one in 2 years! :)

They are already requesting ALL my medical records for court and ALL the meds i've been on in the past 5 years. It's just crazy. I need all the luck I can get I think!


Thanks!!

-Jeny
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