Just had court - Page 5

[Avani]

Court is now friday a.m. My lawyer went in today to file the ex parte but she couldn't inform my ex because his voicemail is full and she has no other way to inform him. So she is going to mail him that there is an ex parte and it will be on friday.

I asked her what would happen if I don't show. She said I could go to jail and the judge could hand custody over to my ex. It is a settlement conference and it is court ordered I appear and take the kids there and if I don't show to help settle the case then all custody could automatically be handed to my ex. Me losing my home, losing all my financial aid, losing weeks of work income, the kids missing school, it all apparently means nothing. So if friday doesn't pan out then we have another option. As of now I am still ordered to appear on the 15th.

[Avani]

My baby has strep throat and a double ear infection. I am so stressed out about tomorrows court hearing as it is. I was up all night with her and the no sleep thing isn't helping. I just don't get how I am supposed to attempt to finish all I can in my college classes (5 of them) take care of 6 kids, one very ill baby and also face the prospect of having to pull my kids out of school, file incompletes in my classes when I am only 2 weeks away from finishing and find a few grand to make this ridiculous trip. Oh and prepare for a mandatory settlement conference. This is too much for one person. Come on lawyer! Do me good. Come on crazy judge! Be sick tomorrow! Let there be a logical judge in your place. Oy.

[smeep]

I'm sending you a thousand positive vibes!!!!!! GO AWAY CRAZY JUDGE, GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[New_Natural_Mom]

Thinking good thoughts for you.

[meandmine]

Sending positive thoughts for tomorrow.  May the judge be receptive to hearing your side of the story!

[haydn'smommy]

Saying prayers for you and keeping everything crossed!

[Super~Single~Mama]

I hope your baby feels better soon - ear infections suck big time.  I'll be thinking about you tomorrow, let us know what happens!

[PatienceAndLove]

Goodness! And I thought my custody stuff was crazy!  Yours takes the cake!!

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[LoveOhm]

I have been following your  updates Avani, but honestly I've been speechless about it all.  Like you and the others my candles burn bright with warm thoughts and wishes for a peaceful and mentally healthy outcome for all of you involved (you, the kids, your attorney, etc.) who are all deeply stressed by this ongoing custody drama. 

I feel I'm in the minority so I am hesitant to say this but --- I really think you need to make a way to go to the settlement conference if tomorrow's thing does not work out.  Honestly I know I would not bring my own dd if I were in your same situation but you need to follow the advice of an attorney on that.

It is not uncommon for a judge (in southern CA) to hand over custody to the parent who is present when the other does not show or does not show an interest in co-parenting or if they appear to be withholding/blocking the NCP's relationship with the child(ren).  While all of that should not apply in a DV situation it does not appear this judge respects the DV aspect so long story short even with this judge you can only represent yourself if you are there and I am sorry but I just could not trust the attorney you describe to 100% represent me when the stakes are soooooo high w/o me even present.

((((HUGS))))))

Edited by LoveOhm - 12/3/10 at 12:21am

[NolaRiordan]

Thinking good thoughts for you today. Praying that you and your dear kids finally get some good news!

[MissLotus]

Good, positive thoughts for you today, Avani!  And I hope your baby feels better!

[vannienicole]

Thinking of you Avani!

[cycle]

Thinking of you Avani!

[smeep]

Positive vibes, Avani!!!!!!!!!!! 

[soso-lynn]

update? I am anxious to know how it went.

[Avani]

Update is in another thread titled Update :D for some reason it wouldn't let me copy and paste it!

[meandmine]

Wow!  I am so glad.

Not to be a downer, but will the case go back before the original ridiculous judge in February?  Does what this new judge decided have sticking power?!  I so totally hope so.

I agree, though, focus on the coming weeks and taking care of yourself, your kids and your school work!

Blessings!

M