Should I need an attorney?

I am seeking supervised visitation for my daughters because their father is a non-functioning, admitted alcoholic who has repeatedly struck one of my daughters in a drunken rage. It was documented by a therapist and a worker from child protective services. He has a long history of assault, domestic violence, and alcohol-related offenses and abuse of his other child. We are currently pro-per thru the friend of the court and child protective services is also involved.The judge sitting on the case has shown leiniency in this matter and only recommended my ex go to AA twice a week and imposed a court order he could not drink during his parenting time.My ex lives 120 miles away and this court order cannot be enforced from where I live. CPS ordered no visits until he had atleast two weeks of AA.Today the judge ruled that the children had to go under the supervision of their paternal grandmother. I refused because I spoke with my ex and believed him to be intoxicated. He has four DUI's and his mother picks up the children at a half-way point. We have an order that says they are to pay me travel expense because he has $13,000 in child support arrears. They refused to pay me and I did not have any money for gas. I believe the judge will hold me in contempt for not sending them. I believe the system is not working for my children and this judge is doing little if anything to protect them.What can I do? I need help. I am a single mother who struggles daily to care for my kids.

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Submitted 131 days ago...

disabledsfcv

New User (9)

What are you waiting for ? A phone call that one of children has been seriously hurt or death. Go to the court house in the town you are from and file to get an injunction againist the ex and your mother in law. Why hasnt DCF stepped in an put them in foster care for now. Then you petition for their custody in the meantime. You need to get yourself a really good lawyer this time and get your kids back before it is too late. You have to do it legally so they can never go back to the dad. You know anyone can be a father but it takes special people to be a DADDY and that is not a good dad that goes around physically abusing your daughter.

Keep calling the children and teach them to call the children abuse hotline or tell them to talk to their teachers at school or neighbors or someone who can protect them. No child should be abused. But see everyone waits till it is to late to do anything. Do not be that person.

Look in phone book for legal aid in your county or contact your state bar association becuase they might have pro-bono lawyers who would be willing to take the case since you have documentation on it. Also why did the therapist not call Dept of Children and Families becuase that is the law. They could be charged for not reporting the abuse and so could a doctor or ER. Tell the children to seek help. Their is no excuse in the world for an alcoholic to beat or abuse a child.

Good luck ..... please write back what happens...I would like to know....I am advocate for the disabled and for children who can not help themselves.....

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