AboutDan Bachert Expertise I can respond to questions pertaining to Florida Family Law within the specific areas of Divorce, Child Custody, Child Timesharing, Alimony and Child Support Enforcement/Modification, Equitable distribution, and Inter Family Adoptions.
Experience Actively practicing Family law in the Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties for the past eleven years.
Organizations Florida Bar, Family Law Section of Florida Bar, Palm Beach County Bar Association, BNI
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University; Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas School of Law
Question My ex refused to participate in a custody proceeding in 2007. I was granted sole parental responsibility and custody- he was ordered no visitation rights. He is bi-polar and refuses meds; he is also a life-long drug user. He lives in a motorhome on a drug dealers property. His only form of transportation is a dirtbike. I was pregnant with our second child when the court order was granted. The baby was not included. Our son has special needs. He has ADHD, OCD and TS- on 3 medications and needs counseling that I cannnot provide at this time for financial reasons. Now that my ex has a new girlfriend, he has been stating he wants the kids- whenever he wants. I know that I do not have to provide visitation legally. He has been in and out of our lives for nearly nine years. Because I allowed this, thinking I knew better than the court, my son has suffered severe emotional problems, night terrors, separation anxiety. I do not want the same for our daughter. I am fearful of this man and the effect his behavior has on our children. I take my part of the blame for hoping that my family fantasy may come true, but I am now over this delusion. I am not contacting- or accepting contact- from him any longer. My son says he misses him, but does not want to talk to him. Our son is 7, daughter is one and a half.
What chance does he have of acquiring visitation?
The only rthing I could in good conscience consent to is supervised visits.
Answer Hi Brandi, if you can prove everything you have stated it doesn't sound like he would have a good chance at acquiring unsupervised time sharing.
I hope this information was helpful to you.
This answer is based solely on the information you have provided in your question and as always, I would advise that you arrange for an in person consultation with an attorney from my firm or another Family Law attorney familiar with Florida Family Law who can analyze the specific facts and circumstances of the case more closely to better advise you.
Sincerely,
Daniel Bachert, Esq.
The Bachert Law Firm, P.A.
330 Clematis Street, Suite 222
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
(561) 653-3951
