Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

Question:

Do child custody laws do anything to prevent parents from bringing dangerous people around their children?

My ex and I split child custody, but she has a boyfriend who drinks a lot and even does drugs. I have no proof this is done in front of my children, but I know she brings him around my kids.

Can I keep her boyfriend from being around our kids during her parenting time?

Question:

My question is about child custody laws and how my history of drug problems will affect my chances at child custody.

I have had problems with drugs when I was younger, but I have been clean and sober for years now.

How much is my past drug use going to effect child custody decision?

By Jennifer M. Paine

Divorce Lawyer, Cordell & Cordell

Substance use and substance abuse are two different things, particularly in divorce cases.

Of course, no illegal use is a good use, but there is quite a difference between a single use in a moment of bad judgment and a chronic daily use.

The former is likely to result in a reprimand from your judge and an order for counseling and/or parenting classes, and the latter could lead to loss of child custody or parental rights.

But don't rush to conclusions.

By Michelle Hughes

Divorce Lawyer, Cordell & Cordell

The society that we live in is inundated with sex, drugs and alcohol on television, in music and in the movies.

With all of these outside influences, parents find that it is important, more than ever, to impart morals and values on their child.

Morality clauses can be a useful tool to aid parents in upholding their morals and values even while the child is spending time with the other parent. (Read my previous article, "Morality Clauses: Prohibiting Cohabitation and Overnight Guests.")

These clauses have been used to prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs during periods of custody with the child.

Generally, I do not recommend that my clients agree to these types of clauses. 

Question:

My wife is addicted to drugs. I left the home 6 months ago and moved a few hours away without the children because I couldn't afford a divorce lawyer. CPS now has the children in their custody because of my wife's drug abuse.

The problem is I am being told nothing by the CPS and they have even added me to the petition because it happened in our home.

What are my rights as a father (who had already filed for divorce and asked for custody in another county when children were removed) as far as CPS goes?