Noncustodial Mom: ‘I get the same treatment from the courts as NC Dads’
Trisha, a reader, writes:
Glenn, you often talk about supporting non-custodial dads, and fighting against the terminology "deadbeat dads," as well as fighting the family court system for the way they treat noncustodial dads.
Well, I am a noncustodial MOM....and I get the SAME treatment from the courts, once being ARRESTED for allegedly being behind on my payments: I had just finished interviewing for a new job, was attending a graduate course that cost me $800 to enroll in, and had a host of other things requiring my immediate attention. No one would listen to me.
I finally was released a week later, after having to sign forms saying I would reappear at a later date. I had to find the money (over $1,000.00) to defend myself, only for my attorney to ask the court's representative "Why are we here?" and showing her that no, I wasn't behind, but in all actuality, was AHEAD in my payments by about $100.00! All the courts could tell me attorney was "Oh."
I get looked at with evil stares simply because I do not have my children full time, and for nearly a year, my ex-husband illegally, and with no reason whatsoever, withheld my children from me for visitation! I had to wait nearly a year before I could afford $2,500 to get another attorney to pursue my rights, which had never been lost to start with. Then, to add insult to injury, the judge wouldn't even put him on probation because we didn't "have enough evidence"...
My ex is supposed to be paying back my legal expenses, but to the best of my knowledge has failed to do so. I have to drive even farther to get my kids and drop them back off.
I know I must not be the only non-custodial mom out there who is being treated this way.
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