In this day and age, the court system has shifted to aid a relatively new industry that is making quite a profit. What am I speaking of you might ask? A broken system calling for good parents, involved parents to have to shell out anywhere from $50 to well over $100 per hour just to see their children. You may wonder what these parents may have done to warrant such a severe action. The answer, quite simply, could be anything from absolutely nothing (other than the opposing spouse's lies and half-truths) to unfounded accusations. Sometimes, there really is a reason to have supervised visitation. This severe course of action is certainly needed in cases of physical or sexual abuse, drug usage, or alcohol abuse. How would a judge or GAL (Guardian Ad Litem) determine such a need? Well, as in the case of good ol' Jefferson County here in Alabama, it's solely at the judge's very wide discretion.
Today I listened as well as participated in a local radio show that featured the Honorable Judge Suzanne S. Childers and a member of the Birmingham chapter of the Alabama Family Rights Association, Kenneth Paschal. This on air discussion was concerning equal rights among both parents in a divorce. I was fortunate enough to be in a position to call in concerning this matter that I hold near and dear to my heart. You see, for the last seven months, I have been one of those Dads that have to pay to see his son. Back in January of this year, I had a court date that was supposed to be a review of monetary support. My ex-wife was wanting more money, despite the fact that I was making less than what she reported when we got divorced. When she realized that more money was no longer an option, she and her attorney decided to try a new tactic.
My ex-wife committed perjury to get what she wanted. I say perjury because I have actual evidence that she lied. Does the judge that presided over the case care? Absolutely not. I didn't expect this at all, as my ex and I had always had a good relationship when it came to our son. As I wasn't expecting this course of action from an officer of the court or my ex-wife, I was unprepared as was my attorney. This resulted in my being crucified in court. I didn't have evidence with me to counter and nullify the lies. My attorney didn't do his job either. I was, at the time, ignorant of the legal process and how to defend yourself. I have since learned quite a bit. My ex-wife's actions brought with them supervised visitation in order to see my son, two stints in the county jail because I couldn't pay medical bills and arrears from being laid off twice in two years, and a newfound lack of respect for two officers of the court and one ex-wife.
What can I do to make my situation better, you might ask? The answer is one that I'm still searching for high and low. When you are living paycheck to paycheck, you have child support to pay, and you still have to pay to see your son (which isn't an option you can decline if you want to be a part of his life in these young and impressionable years). I have consulted a few attorneys but alas, no one wants to take on a complicated case. Especially Pro Bono. I have decided to fight as hard as I can in more unconventional ways. This blog will be one of them. Another is the local news media, which may or may not work but it's worth a try. If there is anyone out there that reads this, your comments are greatly appreciated.
-Me
