Legal Question in Family Law in Michigan
My name is Shane A. Jackson.
For 5 years, I have not been allowed to see my little brother. Our biological father is a registered sex-offender, who has undergone tremendous counseling in the past, as well as a volunteered jail-term, and is still seeing counseling to this day. I rarely consort with him, or his family. I don't consort with him enough to call him a friend, or family member, but I can call him an acquaintance.
My brother's name is Preston. He is 9 years old. I met him first when he was 2. At the time, he and I did not know we were related, because our mothers had not told either of us, and they were close friends. I did not find out that he was my brother until he was 5, and I was 20. I met my biological father earlier that same year. We had talked a few times, and I was curious... as would be expected when you meet someone who is a big part of your life that wasn't there to be in it. He is not my father, morally, and he knows he will never be considered that way. We don't talk often... maybe once a month... and we rarely spend time with each other.
Preston's Mother's name is Andrea Shaun Rose. She is very bitter towards our biological father, and his family. When they had their custody hearing in February 2006, I was in Basic Combat Training in Fort Jackson, SC for the Army National Guard. When I returned in July 2006, I contacted her to see if I could see Preston. She spoke to me in a very bitter tone, and said I would never see him again.
I have recently made contact with her online, and she still holds true to her words. It took me a long time to find a contact to her... and I really would like to spend just supervised visitation time with my little brother. He is going to be an Uncle on February 16, 2010. He should be able to see his nephew.
Andrea has no reason to be bitter towards me, nor should she punish 2 brothers for something their biological father did almost 20yrs ago. Andrea was even married to our biological father, and had Preston in his first 2 years of life around him, with full-knowledge what he had done, and even supported him in going to prison. Shortly before he was to get out, she put a restraint on him from seeing her, or Preston... filed for a divorce, and went "off the radar" to him and his family.
I'm not defending my biological father, nor am I condemning Andrea. I simply want to see my little brother... is there anything LEGALLY that I can do to force supervised visitation rights?
I'm a U.S. Army National Guard OIF/OEF Veteran, who is married, has a child on the way, gainfully employed, going to college, and has a permanent residence... please tell me there is something I can do.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Please call me at your convenience for a free consultation. I have some questions and am wondering what the jurisdictional issues are.
Thanks
Francois
866 374 1199