Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

Question:

My divorce question is about the right of first refusal clause.

During my parenting time that includes overnight visitation, I sometimes have to work so my fiance or my parents stay with my children.

My ex-wife now wants to take our children on those nights when I work by stating she is using her first right of refusal. However, in our divorce decree, there is no such claim about a right of first refusal clause.

She has never tried to exercise a right of first refusal before, and my work hours have not changed since our divorce so she knew I would be gone some of those nights I have overnight visitation.

Will my ex-wife be able to exercise the right of first refusal even though the decree does not state anything about that right?

Judith Sandalow is the executive director of the Children's Law Center, which provides legal services on behalf of at-risk children and their families.

She recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of two fathers against the District of Columbia and a child welfare agency alleging infringement on the rights of children and their parents - who live outside of D.C. - to live together.

These fathers were denied access to their children even though their kids were removed from their mothers' care because of neglect and put in foster care.

Sandalow talked with DadsDivorce.com editor Matt Allen about this lawsuit and why these fathers rights were ignored.

Question:

I do not have child custody of my son and for a variety of reasons have not seen him in six years.

I am gravely ill and want to have a relationship with him before I die so he knows I am his father and I always loved him.

How can I force his mother to allow me to see him and form a father-son bond that we never had because of unfair child custody laws?

By Julie Garrison

Special to DadsDivorce.com

Society needs to be educated on the necessity of shared parenting and the innumerable benefits it affords to children.

If not, children will continue to be denied the foundation of an equal relationship with both of their parents.

There are longstanding attitudes about shared parenting that have influenced the public and the present family law system. Most of these attitudes are fiction and need to be debunked.

By Julie Garrison

Special to DadsDivorce.com

In today's family law landscape, the concept of shared parenting stands out as a tare amidst an otherwise orderly countryside.

This is because the courts have been influenced by the longstanding attitude that shared parenting is not a beneficial joint child custody arrangement.

What roles do mothers and fathers play when it comes to shared parenting?