Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

I have a 16 year old son named Keaton, that goes to visit his father during the summer. His father, Larry, has been diagnosed bipolar manic depressive. He is very aggressive and abusive. I felt in the past he would never do any harm to his son but now I question that. He has a criminal history 10 miles long that includes Domestic Violence, 6 DWI's in the past 20 years, DWLS, and numerous other things I'm sure. I feel for my sons safety every time he goes to visit. My son is now at the age that he can make decisions himself and has expressed that he does not feel comfortable around his father and does not wish to go visit anymore. His father just today has got in his face and cursed at him making him fear him father. His father is on SSI Disability and my son gets a $203 check a month. It does not matter if I do not continue getting the check any longer. My sons safety and well-being is what matters most. What are my rights because is father has already threatened me with Contempt of Court if I do not make him go visit.


Asked on 7/22/10, 1:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Dunn Mark D. Dunn

You need to file a motion to modify the most recent order - file it NOW - and ask for a temporary order that suspends visitation or (in the alternative) sets up visitation in a supervised, controlled situation. At the hearing on the request for temporary orders, tell the Judge what you told me.

You'll want to ask that an attorney ad litem be appointed.

You'll want to ask (in your motion) that the Judge interview the child in chambers.

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Answered on 7/22/10, 7:20 pm


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