Losing my son

[Dani74]

Hi, I have a 14 year old son, I have been divorced since 2000 and have been the primary custodial parent the whole time. ex-husband moved to Valdosta, GA 2005. My son has been seen off and on every two weeks with the father or grandmother doing the driving (4 hrs each way,) Over the years I have struggled with addiction and alcoholism, I have been to treatment 3 times in the last 8 years and continue to fight for my recovery. From 2004 I lost both of my parents, & my father in law in less than 18 months of each other, very dramatic deaths and afterwards with estates and greedy relatives. After 2006 my fiance and I went through hard times and split up often. We have been together for 10 years. Recently I have fallen off the wagon and as wonderful alcoholics do - I've created havoc, my son no longer wants to live with me and wants to move to his dads. I am currently in AA and am fighting to save my life and get better. Father has an attorney and is willing to fight me for custody. This means that he will move to GA and I will have to travel 4 hours each way whenever I want to see him. What type of outcome should I expect if I fight this but my son wants to move and might testify against me? I was not abusing him but I did have 911 called bc I took a whole bunch of pills and my son found out about it. I did not go with 911 and was fine but my ex is saying I am abusing my son by him knowing and seeing this. I made a mistake and now I feel like i am about to lose everything. I want to go to counseling with my son, and if he moves the ex never gives me unfettered access to son, doesnt call if there is an emergency and he needs medical care until after the fact (this has happened several times) wont call after a 4 hour drive to tell me that they arriced safely and makes him get off the phone if we talk when he is up there. ex's current wife beat me up in 2008 in front of son and was ordered to attend anger management. ex has 2 DUI's from '96 and '98 (around) lost license for 10 years and is behind in child support by several thousand dollars. He says I wont have to pay support that I can use that money for travel to visit Son. HELP ME!

[Attorney Howard Iken]

This is a difficult situation and will be hard to predict the outcome. You have the initial advantage - final judgments are difficult to change. But the facts here are pretty strong.

I would suggest you first determine your priorities. You need to decide whether you can provide a stable environment that will be lasting. It sounds like you have not been able to provide that. The answer will point to your next goal.





Attorney Howard Iken
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