Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa
Psychological Warfare in custody battle
My Ex-wife has physical custody of my children. Although we have joint custody, I have not seen them in approximately two years. I drive there and she doesn't show. Or she has the children throw such a fit and refuse to go with me. The last time I had them for a 2 week summer visit, they kept calling me by my first name, then correcting themselves, because they get punished at home for calling me Dad. The must refer to her live in boyfriend as Dad. She has threatened me with a sexual abuse allegation, among other lies. We cannot seem to get the courts to find her in contempt, even though she changes her phone number constantly, and tells the kids derogatory statements about me much of the time. She is a victim of incest, and very unstable, would psychological profiling her and the kids help me to get them out of that environment?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Psychological Warfare in custody battle
Your "family law" case is among the toughest kind for courts to deal with. Also, it can be expensive as well as frustrating and depressing for you. The remedy depends on your objective. Do you wish to enforce the Final Judgment or to modify the final judgment regarding visitation, custody, etc.? In either case it appears that a court-ordered psychological evaluation of the children and parties is a next step. A good, local family law attorney is a must to represent you, whatever your objective. And still, it's a difficult road. Depending on the age and maturity of the children, their wishes will be considered by the court, hopefully to your benefit.