Do you know what the custody laws are in your state? I didn’t know when I got divorced. My attorney drew up everything and I signed it. Fortunately he was on my side and the custody was in my best interests.
I didn’t give the laws much thought but read recently that here in Utah they are trying to have a statement added to our divorce statute saying that the court may not discriminate against a parent based on age, race, color, national origin, religious preference or gender. Really? In 2012 we are having to add this to our law? Have people in this state been losing custody of their children for things like these?
Apparently Utah still believes that children should be raised by their mother, even when she is not the best choice.
I have watched this happen, a friend of mine lost custody of her daughter due to her drinking and the little girl was given to her father with a focus on reuniting her with her mother. Even though my friend had endangered her daughters life on several occasions, as far as the state is concerned, she was the parent of choice.
As a single mother with full custody I am appalled to think that if I had a drug problem, mental illness or what have you, I would have been awarded custody of my daughter simply because I’m her mother. My heart goes out to all of the fathers in Utah who know their children are at risk when they are in their mothers custody. Unfortunately the way the law works now, something terrible has to happen to change that custody arrangement.
If you are getting a divorce, make sure you understand the laws in your state, one statement in Utah’s statute says that one of the deciding factors should be whether or not the parent is capable of helping the child maintain a relationship with the non custodial parent. That’s something to think about for all the people who use their children as pawns in their divorce.