I am in need of direction and advice.
I was married for 18 years.
We both went our separate ways.
I didn’t fight him for anything.
Today he is remarried to a girl 13 years younger.
He makes $32,000 + a month and had me paying $400 a month child support.
He manipulated the court with a good lawyer and money and received primary custody of my three kids when I was the stay at home mom our entire Marriage.
My two older kids will not talk to me.
They are being bought and manipulated.
They were removed from me for two years.
I’ve been fighting for four years total.
My youngest has not been manipulated by money quite yet.
He wants to live with me.
Mother’s Day last year, “the step mother” said I could not spend time with my kids.
This year the kids were encouraged to give her all the gifts they made at school.
They are regurgitating every word their father says about me.
I have witnesses to the alienation and his verbal and emotional abuse, but no money to retain a lawyer.
If I go in with my evidence and fight alone, can I actually be victorious in custody modification?
Will a judge listen to me without representation when i’m up against one of the best prosecutors??
I feel like I need to contact the news or go to Raleigh to get a bill passed for all the parents who are dealing with parental alienation but don’t have the funds to prove it.
The ones who are suffering are the kids…
Please guide me in the right direction.
Four years is too long.
In order to modify a custody order you must be able to prove that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the current order was entered that affects the wellbeing of the minor children.
If you can show enough facts and events to the judge of parental alienation, you could be successful in proving a substantial change in circumstances.
Take a look at our article on this issue, Parental Alienation in North Carolina.
The judge will not prejudice you because you do not have a lawyer or because the lawyer for the father is well known in the area. Judges are impartial and will apply the facts presented at trial to the law.
Anna Ayscue
Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest
Rosen Online | Unlimited confidential access to a North Carolina attorney for $199/mo - click here
The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations.