Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Grounds for parental alienation and Joint Custody?

My exhusband was awarded sole custody of our son 3 years ago and the decree says I don't have to pay for child support a this time. Last year, my exhusband joined the army and got stationed abroad. He and his new wife took my son over there and didn't tell me they were going until a week before they left. He didn't have geographic restrictions. I have been trying to call my son, but my ex has only let me talk to him 2 times in the past 15 months. My ex has been taking my son to see a psychiatrist on base and the psychiatrist thinks I should have supervised visitation because I haven't talked to my son in over a year and because I am bipolar and because my son has anger issues towards me. I called my exhusbands command and told them my ex was noncompliant with open phone contact and they told my ex to do something so he is taking me to court for supervised visitation and harrassment and to start getting child support, too. Don't I have grounds for parental alienation? Can I get custody changed to joint custody now? Will I have to pay child support? I haven't worked in over 3 years.


Asked on 7/04/09, 9:25 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

Re: Grounds for parental alienation and Joint Custody?

Parents are required to support their kids. If you don't work then you will be ordered to pay minimum wage child support. That will be approximately $202/month.

You definately need to hire an attorney to fight for your rights.

I highly recommend PATRICIA BUSHMAN at 713.805.9591. Tell her that FRAN sent you.

She offers payment plans.

You might want to see a social study and/or an attorney to represent the interests of the child. Both of you would have to pay for this. An amicus attorney usually starts at $1,500 up. However, they usually really help a lot.

I'm not going to address your joint custody question. Joint custody means something totally different to an attorney than it does to the general public. So you will need to talk to your attorney about what you are trying to accomplish.

Good luck!

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Answered on 7/04/09, 4:57 pm


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