Recommend child custody lawyer? (credit card, how much, home) - San Antonio - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

txmom2boys · 02-29-2008, 07:56 AM

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good family law attorney? I need one asap and am very short on money.

Long story short, I'm a single mom and my ex and his wife (who he coincidentally left me for) took my kids and got a restraining order against me until a court date of March 5. They made up a ton of lies to get the restraining order (in which I've already been over with an SAPD officer to verify since I haven't been served yet). So I need an attorney asap and don't even know where to start. I didn't use one for my divorce, so I've never had one. Being a single mom, I usually have just enough money to cover the bills. I do have a credit card which I will use if it means getting my kids back.

If anyone has had a good experience with one, or has any advice on any kind of foundations for single parents who can't afford a good attorney, please let me know. I appreciate it.

gwrober · 02-29-2008, 09:32 AM

Call Judy Wemmert @ 826-2900. She's highly recommended! Good luck with your case!

Paka · 02-29-2008, 03:55 PM

I know nothing about such, but wish you much luck with your effort and will keep you and your children in my prayers.

txmom2boys · 02-29-2008, 07:37 PM

Thank you both! And thanks for your prayers Paka! I need them at this point.

gwrober, thanks for the recommendation. Before I checked this, I got a few from coworkers, called a few, and not one called me back. I got busy at work today, so couldn't spend all day on the phone. I'll try and call Judy Wemmert tomorrow, hopefully I can still get a hold of her even though it's a Saturday.

I'll be sure to keep y'all updated. This is so crazy, out of nowhere. A bunch of lies can make up a restraining order. They're only 9 and 6 and I'm doing the best I can and working hard (inside and outside the home) as a single mom after he left me a year ago after I had been a stay at home mom for 7 years.

Thanks again!

hadleyzoo · 02-29-2008, 08:08 PM

I'll be thinking about you during this trying time you are going through. I can only imagine what it's like to be a single mom raising 2 young children. Be strong, don't stoop to his/her level, and remember: what goes around comes around and they'll get what's coming to them. It may not be tomorrow or next week...but someday.

txmom2boys · 02-29-2008, 09:07 PM

Thank you so much hadleyzoo. It's amazing, I've never met any of you before, and I'm getting so much heartfelt support.

It's funny, you have the same philosophies that I've had all week (and throughout my divorce).

1. I'm not going to play their games and stoop down to their level. They like the feeling of getting together and ganging up on me because they know I'm alone. It all comes down to the fact that he doesn't want to pay child support. Just so happens he got a new job about 3-4 weeks ago and I asked for his new income so I can see if he owes more child support (he's very, very stingy with his money). Then this happens. I make a little less than 1/3 that he does. Plus, they have 2 incomes in their household (I know that doesn't count in court, but just to show how much more they have coming in). And he's actually trying to get ME to reimburse their court costs when this is all over.

2. Your second point is exactly what I've always said. What comes around, goes around. I said that back when I found out he was having the affair. It'll come back and bite both of them in the rear end one day. It'll be fun just to sit back and see.

Thank you again!

sapphire · 02-29-2008, 09:13 PM

You probably shouldn't have asked him about his income. The attorney general's office would do that for you when you ask for a modification of support. You are entitled to a review every 3 years. Not to say that any of this is your fault, but if he's as stingy as you say, then that may well be what set him off. The sad part is, it's going to cost him way more to keep them himself.

I wish you luck. Years ago, as long as the mother wasn't a crack w#ore, she was almost guaranteed custody. Not so anymore. I wish I knew how to help. The judges are pretty wise, though, and "in the best interest of the child" is where they want to end up.

txmom2boys · 02-29-2008, 10:17 PM

sapphire, that is true. He has NO idea what it's like being a single parent. He went straight from me to her and she does almost everything for him.

Everyone keeps telling me that in the State of Texas, they're real good about siding with the mother. But you're right, things may not be the same anymore. I just hope they don't look at the fact that he can provide more for them financially and he can get custody that way. Or that they do have a 2 parent household (with her 2 kids, so they have a full household). So of course they can get things done more organized or efficiently than I can. It's just me and yeah, sometimes things don't get done as quick or I may feel a little less organized than I prefer, but that's just part of being a single mom.

Midorigreen · 03-01-2008, 07:21 AM

txmom....

I feel for you....I used to work at the office that collected child support (up in Canada) and know first-hand how these sorts of things can blow up and get out of control. A good lawyer is your best bet in such a situation. In the end, more often than not, the person who is telling lies ends up looking like a fool (and often paying through the nose!) So...don't lose hope....I'm sure you'll have your day.... In the meantime, we are here for you. I pray that you get your children back soon.

PopsGuysRule · 03-01-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txmom2boys

Thank you both! And thanks for your prayers Paka! I need them at this point.

gwrober, thanks for the recommendation. Before I checked this, I got a few from coworkers, called a few, and not one called me back. I got busy at work today, so couldn't spend all day on the phone. I'll try and call Judy Wemmert tomorrow, hopefully I can still get a hold of her even though it's a Saturday.

I'll be sure to keep y'all updated. This is so crazy, out of nowhere. A bunch of lies can make up a restraining order. They're only 9 and 6 and I'm doing the best I can and working hard (inside and outside the home) as a single mom after he left me a year ago after I had been a stay at home mom for 7 years.

Thanks again!

Yes, this is very strange, to be able to obtain a restraining order without some RECORDS, PROOF, DOCUMENTATION....
I'd be sure to have someone look into how THAT happened!!!! Cause, it could become a continual thing if they have some mode of getting a judge to sign such an order without solid proof.....
more on another post re legal assistance....