Hechosedrugs

So ex took kids to stay at the hotel at the casino in town. All his junkie friends came along. Nothing too damning there- my kids say he stayed with them the whole time (although I wouldn't be surprised if he left to go gambling while they were sleeping). But my son told me he made him walk through the parking lot to the car barefoot in the morning- it was 35 degrees out!

Somebody tell me what my rights are. I would love to get a copy of that surveillance video, but I'm assuming the casino won't hand it over without a subpoena?

I'm documenting everything, but after having an entire stack of evidence disregarded the first time around, I really want some solid proof before I take him back to court.

What can I do? Don't tell me to talk to my worthless lawyer, please. I'm done with her. I'll be representing myself this next time. I won't sit in silence, watching someone else sabotage my case, again.

zoso77

Have you considered getting a new lawyer?

dandylion

Hechosedrugs......

Try looking at this website.....

Divorce Advice, Laws, and Information from WomansDivorce.com

Sunshine1234

What about hiring a private investigator?

Hechosedrugs

She's my second lawyer. Both were incredibly competent- forgot to file paperwork, filed paperwork out of order, gave terrible responses in court, and were awful negotiators. Never again.

Hechosedrugs

Oh, and not to mention one failed to show up to a court date!

Hechosedrugs

If I had the money, I would have done this a long time ago. But it's my dad's money and he didn't want to.

cynical one

How about calling CPS?

PuzzledHeart

There are organizations that provide free legal aid if you fit a certain criteria. In addition, some law schools have programs where you can be matched with a law student who is under the supervision of a more experienced attorney.

For example...

https://www.justia.com/lawyers/calif...-bono-services

I can't attest to the quality of any of the services, but there were one or two on that list that provided coaching for folks representing themselves. Might be worth a shot to take a look.

Hechosedrugs

I talked to my counselor, who is also a social worker. She said "He crossed the line here and something needs to be done." She thinks I need to get a restraining order from him against the kids. I don't see that happening. The judge seemed hesitant to grant us one when he kicked my son, had been punching holes in the walls, and had ripped the thermostat off the wall.

So I talked to my lawyer, and the main lawyer of her law firm (the one I was under the impression would be representing me in the first place). Both said this would be disregarded as hearsay by any judge. They also said even if I had the surveillance to prove it, the most the judge would do is lecture him about the importance of footwear. They said to keep documenting- that we need a "smoking gun" such as him getting a DUI with the kids in the car. Yeah, that's what I want to wait for!

Such differing opinions. Who to believe?