Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Does character count?
My wife has full custody of her 17 year-old daughter. Her ex-husband says he is going to court to try to get full custody.
He hasn't lived at the same address for more than one year in the past 10 years. Most of those places were friends' homes where he crashed or trailers he had acquired through such things as odd jobs or bets. All of the trailers were abandoned. He has a number of DUI arrests. He still drinks steadily and still includes drunk driving as a normal activity. He was admitted to a mental health facility for threatening suicide. He owes my wife close to $20,000 in back child support as well as education expenses and medical bills that he was supposed to split 50/50 with my wife, according to the terms of their divorce settlement. Anytime she has asked for the money, he has laughed and told her he didn't have any.
My wife's daughter wants to live with him.
To make matters worse, the judge in our county is an embarrassment to his profession. He regularly sides with fathers, regardless of their ability to care for children. Fathers almost always win with him. A state board (don't know who that would be) has reprimanded him twice but he remains on the bench.
My wife is wondering if she stands a chance in court.

Asked on 4/10/05, 10:33 pm

Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

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Re: Does character count?

Character and good parenting skills do count for something in a custody battle. Her chances of success at trial cannot be predicted.

Answered on 4/18/05, 3:42 am

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