Family law questions? I can help. Call today.
Serving The Houston Metro | Free Initial Consultation

Tired of lengthy child custody battle, mom sues judge

On Behalf of | Dec 13, 2013 | Child Custody

As many divorcing Texas couples know, determining child custody is not always easy. There are many things to consider when a judge makes the decision to award custody. Although it’s not exactly an issue that can be resolved overnight, three years is too long. That’s how long one New York woman has been waiting to get her child custody case resolved. What is she doing about it? She’s filing a lawsuit against the family court referee.

The lawsuit claims that the case has taken more than 1,200 days. The law varies from state to state, but in this woman’s case, her custody battle should have been resolved within three months. After three years and still no resolution in sight, Texas parents likely understand this woman’s position and would probably do the same.

Think of how her 9-year-old daughter must feel. Most child custody cases are handled with the child’s best interests in mind. The girl is likely confused by the whole situation. How is this in her best interests?

Three years is a lifetime for a child. Children grow up so quickly and to spend so many years wondering what the court will decide can be plain torture. Child custody decisions affect children’s entire lives, such as where they will live or attend school. It can also affect extracurricular activities, medical care and many other aspects of their lives.

Courts should focus on getting custody issues resolved as quickly as possible, since young children need a steady routine. Being constantly shuttled from one parent to another is not the best solution. To be fair, though, sometimes parents get in the way of a resolution. Not every party can get what they want in a divorce settlement. Courts try to make decisions based on what is fair for the child and parents should do so as well. They should put their bitterness aside and think of how the child would best thrive.

Source: 
The Stir, “Single Mom Stuck in Child Custody Hell for 3 Years Comes Up With Brilliant Plan” Jeanne Sager, Dec. 03, 2013

Archives

RSS Feed

FindLaw Network