Should a mother's status as an illegal immigrant have any bearing on whether she is entitled to custody of her child? That was the question faced recently by an appeals court in a child custody case watched closely by immigrants' right advocates in Wisconsin and elsewhere. To the relief of many such advocates, the court concluded that immigration status had no bearing on the issue of custody. The case involved a young mother who was an undocumented immigrant living in the United States. In 2009, after becoming an unwed mother at the age of 17, the woman moved in with her daughter's paternal grandparents and continued to live with them until September 2011. At that time, after a fight with the grandmother, the mother moved out and took her daughter with her. This led to a custody battle between the mother and the grandparents.
Wisconsin woman takes child in custody dispute
A warrant has been issued for a Wisconsin woman's arrest after she failed to return her son to his father in violation of the terms of a custody order. The woman, age 20, and her estranged husband, age 23, have been waged in a bitter child custody dispute over the three-year-old boy. The woman previously accused her husband of emotionally abusing her and of smoking marijuana in the presence of their son. The boy was transferred to his mother's care on February 20. She was supposed to return him to his father on February 26 but did not show. She also has not reported to her job at a Wisconsin Dells resort. The woman's neighbors reported seeing a moving van at her home during the weekend of February 23. Authorities now suspect the woman has taken the boy to her native Uruguay or to Mexico. An international phone number was found taped to the woman's refrigerator. When it was called, a man answered and denied the woman was there.
La Crosse man denied custody, charged with threats
After an unfavorable outcome in a child custody case, a La Crosse man has been charged with eight felony counts of threat. In the custody case, the man was denied contact with his children and ordered to undergo counseling. He began seeing a therapist, who told police the man made threats during a session. He allegedly told the therapist that he would "go on a rampage and take down as many people as I can." The man is charged with one count of threat to a judge and seven counts of threat to witnesses, Class H felonies, for making threats against a judge, his wife, and social workers. He currently is jailed with a cash bond set at $25,000. His case presents a good example of what not do to when attempting to gain child custody.
Program gives divorced dads ways to stay connected with kids
Research has shown that maintaining a strong father-child relationship after a divorce is important for the child's well-being both while growing up and as an adult. But about 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce, and mothers receive primary child custody 80 percent of the time. As a result, divorced dads often feel disconnected from their children and struggle to maintain a close relationship.The University of Wisconsin currently is evaluating the effectiveness of an online intervention program that provides non-custodial fathers with strategies for remaining connected with their kids and for managing their relationships with their ex-wives. The program, called Apart, Not Broken: Learn, Connect, and Create, lets fathers learn from the experiences of other dads using a combination of videos and other online resources.
Seal and Heidi Klum submit custody paperwork
The initial separation between supermodel Heidi Klum and singer Seal started off amicably. However, the recent public arguments between the power couple might mean that things are about to turn nasty for the pair. As the couple discusses child custody for their three children, several variables will determine the outcome of the battle. In addition, Klum has a daughter from a prior relationship who is also involved in the custody battle.The supermodel asked for primary physical custody in the spring. She requested that Seal have visitation rights. He submitted legal requests to the court that asked for joint physical custody of the children as well.
Child custody issue amplified after international abduction
A jury recently convicted a Virginia pastor for aiding and abetting a mother who took her biologically related daughter out of the United States. In 2000, the mother married another woman in a Vermont-sanctioned civil ceremony. During the couple's marriage, the biological mother conceived the girl through artificial insemination. The domestic couple split in 2004. Afterwards, a family law court awarded primary custody to the biological mother and awarded visitation rights to the ex-partner. The biological mother appealed, claiming that she is no longer gay and that her ex-partner should not be allowed to visit the child. An appellate court affirmed the family court's ruling.
Singer Usher continues in quest for child custody
Usher, the famous singer, has come to showcase his talent in Wisconsin. Wisconsin residents may have also read about his divorce and child custody case in the papers, as well as the recent tragedy that struck a near relation of his.
Commission recommends uniform protections for military parents
When it comes to family law, state laws can vary greatly. For example, some Wisconsin laws governing divorce, child custody and child support differ from Minnesota or Michigan's laws. This can create confusion and turmoil when a divorce or child custody case crosses state lines.
How do Milwaukee families relocate with split child custody?
After a divorce, many people will look at their living situations and might find that it is unsustainable or a few changes might be needed. One of these changes might be the location in which a person lives. If a family decides they need to move, whether it is for financial reasons, education reasons or for support by other family members, there are many things that need to be considered. A very important consideration is child custody.
Child custody trend of "nesting" grows among divorced parents
Milwaukee parents who are divorcing their spouses may understandably have concerns about how the separation is going to affect their children. While it is not true that a divorce is automatically going to traumatize a child, it is good to pay attention to your child's well-being during what will be a time of great transition.
