Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

By Tara N. Brewer

Special to DadsDivorce.com

A deployed soldier already has to deal with the stress of family separation. Possible changes in child custody and threats to fathers rights during deployment only compound the issue.

A new Pennsylvania bill protects the deployed soldier by stating that no changes in a child custody arrangement can occur with the child of an active-duty military servicemember, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The only exception in changing the child custody arrangement would be for the best interest of the child.  

The new law indicates that a deployed soldier can petition the court for a temporary order to assign child custody rights to family members. Also, the law permits deployed parents to testify via phone, videoconference, or other electronic means if need be.

By Julie Garrison

Special to DadsDivorce.com

My previous article "Is Your Ex-Wife Ignoring Your Children During Parenting Time?" addressed a common situation when a divorced dad feels his ex-wife is not properly caring for the children during her parenting time.

Frequently cited examples include mom increasingly leaving the child for longer periods at daycare or with babysitters to spend more time with her new boyfriend, and that mom has begun going out later, drinking more than normal, and sometimes picking up the children from daycare after happy hour.

Here are 6 actions a father can try to remedy the situation and help his children when he believes his ex-wife is being neglectful to their children during her parenting time.

By Julie Garrison

Special to DadsDivorce.com

What happens when a divorced dad has been noticing that his ex-wife's parenting time has been increasingly interrupted with activities that she seems to place above her children?

There are many stories on the DadsDivorce.com divorce forum where fathers tell of their ex-wives being on the phone all day texting their new boyfriend "Mr. Wonderful" or plopping the kids in front of the TV for five hours while she’s out with friends.

Here are some real-life examples of when parents do not use their parenting time effectively:

Question:

I am about start to mediation in the divorce process and my wife is insisting that the mediator is going to side with her on certain child custody and parenting time issues.

I thought mediators were not allowed to make those types of decisions and were only there to help us reach a joint agreement.

Can a mediator dictate our divorce terms? What is a mediator's role in divorce?

Question:

I have a restraining order against me that says I am to have no contact with my ex-wife, so how does this affect my parenting time with my children?

There is a parenting plan in place with specific times for me to see my children, but our visitation exchange is supposed to take place at my ex-wife’s workplace.

How can I exercise parenting time and pick up my kids from my ex-wife if I am court-ordered to have no contact with her?