Among the Ask a Divorce Lawyer questions answered today by Cordell & Cordell attorneys:

• How can I lower the amount of my pay that is being garnished?
• How long do I have to pay maintenance?
• As a grandparent, can I fight for custody of my granddaughter?
• What if we aren't asking for child support from each other?
• I've discovered the original child support calculation from 2005 was in error by over $100 per month. What can I do?
• Can I file a lawsuit against the Friend of the Court or the state for discrimination?
• Is there a law stating that either party in a divorce cannot be taken back to court until two years have passed?
• Can my ex, who has custody, leave the country with our child without my permission?
• What is the law concerning reimbursement of overpayment of child support?
• Does a smoking and drinking parent have less chance than a non-smoking, non-drinking parent at retaining custody?

Question:

I have been divorced for 8 years now. I have a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. We have joint legal and physical custody. I have growing concerns about the current custody arrangement, and am seeking guidance on when enough is enough.

This past summer she took the kids on a canoe trip where she allowed herself and my 15 year old to get drunk, leaving my then 11-year-old exposed with no sober adult. My son recently was hospitalized and she made a huge scene at the hospital about me being there since that day he was technically in her custody. Today I requested information from her regarding the outcome of the hospital visit. She cussed me out and said if our son is almost old enough to drive a car then he was old enough to communicate important medical information. Our divorce decree specifically states that the children are not to be used to relay messages, and specifically states than any major illness or medical concerns are to be communicated promptly.

Given the level of break down in communication recently seen, and which continues to deteriorate, is it time to seek modified custody? Is this an actionable item, or do I simply have to sit back and take this?

Question:

My brother needs to get custody of his kids. He and his wife are having troubles because she is out partying all the time lately and always leaving him with the kids. What proof does he need to help his case for custody showing that she is not a fit mother?
 

 Question:

I have been divorced for thirteen years. We have a seventeen year old daughter and a fourteen year old son. Both of our children have had a considerable drop in their school grades through the past four years. In fact, my daughter has recently been caught by police with alchohol, cigarettes, and pot!

Mom does not want to deal with it. I want to have a gaurdian ad litem involved . How can I do this?

I am also concerned of the new stepfather's police history. Mom implies that he has a history of sexual misconduct, but that he is better now. Any advice as to how I can get this information and what I should do to deal with this problem once I have it?