I need some guidance on a custody issue. In my case, a judge granted one parent full decision-making authority, but this parent is abusing their power. They’re making arrangements that are impossible to meet according to the temporary order, such as scheduling weekends that can’t work and insisting that only the other parent handle pickups and drop-offs.
Is there a way to contact the judge directly outside of court to address this issue? Who can we talk to for help? It feels like the court system is set up to create problems rather than resolve them. Any advice on how to handle this situation or who to reach out to would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
You can’t contact the judge directly about your case. Here’s some general advice:
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all communications and incidents related to the case.
Be Cautious with Communication: Avoid giving the other party any reason to use against you. Clean up your social media, and avoid sending negative messages. Try to resolve issues through respectful communication, but remember that anything you say or write could be reviewed by the judge.
File a Motion to Modify the Temporary Orders: If the current arrangement isn’t working, you can request a modification through the court.
Your lawyer is the one who can step in here. Judges do not allow one party to communicate with them without the other party being present; this is known as ex-parte communication and should be avoided to ensure fairness. For instance, look at the issues in the Young Thug trial in Georgia to see how problematic this can be.
You need an attorney to handle this, and your attorney will need to notify the court about the situation.
Try to schedule things a few weeks in advance to allow for adjustments. I know this can be frustrating, but it helps to reveal if the other party fails to stick to the agreed schedule.
It’s not unusual for the court to require the parent to handle transportation themselves, rather than delegating it to friends or family. The court typically expects the parent to be present during parenting time or to give the other parent the right of first refusal.
No, you can’t contact the judge directly. You can only address the judge in court with both parties present. You’ll need to file a motion to raise any issues.