Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

By Robert Ferrer

Archivist and Researcher, University of Illinois

I was going to continue my inquiry into current myths about children, fathers and divorce, but while on vacation I read the latest book by Professor Edward Kruk, "Divorced Fathers: Children’s Needs and Parental Responsibilities."

The results of his most recent study published in his book affirm much of what I postulated in my article, "The Urgency of Reform." I found his study most fascinating and would like to share with you some of his findings on divorce rights for men.

The key theme of the book is discontinuity. Kruk is referring to significant discrepancies in how the court views things and the reality of its rulings. 

Kruk also sees significant discrepancies in child custody and caretaking arrangements pre- and post- divorce. (Read related article "A Proposed Solution For How Child Custody Is Decided")

Question:

We are attempting to work through child custody agreements in mediation, but my wife will not give me more than every other weekend and some summer vacation time.

I want to have more parenting time with my daughter, but I'm not sure what to do if my wife won't give it to me.

What should I do to get extra visitation?

Question:

What are the child custody laws pertaining to stepparent visitation rights?

Is there a chance that a stepfather could receive visitation with his stepchild post-divorce?

The child's biological father is no longer in the picture and the stepfather is the only Dad he knows. Can child custody agreements be formally worked out with stepparents?

Question:

My ex-wife and kids have moved to another state and we do not have a parenting plan in place to allow for my parenting time.

Without a court-ordered plan in place granting me visitation rights, my ex-wife is refusing to let me visit the kids and sometimes won't even let me talk to them.

How can I get a visitation plan in place if my children live in another state?

Question:

I was wondering about rights for fathers who are not married. I would like to take my child on vacation to another state over the summer.

So can I just leave with my daughter or do I need to also seek permission from her mother?