Lehigh County Courts Unfair to Disabled Dad

When divorced with children, it's a man's obligation to pay child support for their child. 

 But what happens when a man becomes disabled and is unable?  

  

Oh, there is so much I want to say...  but I can't put the words together right now.  

Once again Gary has been denied to do a telephone conference, which means he would have to drive 8 hours round trip for a 30-40 minute conference.  He offered a doctor's note saying that he should not travel and a disability doctor's appointment on that same day, but the courts say 'denied'. 

He is not behind on his support.  He's trying to get a modification.  

 The stress alone is more than he can take.  

It's almost four years since his surgery to remove a part of his intestine.

He had just lost his father, and his daughter was being kept from him.  He tried to call her every night.  No answer.  Parental alienation is cruel.

Finally he was ready to go home. 

It's hard to believe he's been fighting the courts ever since.  Visitation/Custody/Child Support/Getting help for his daughter

Everything failed. 

 I was  present at the last hearing when Judge Ford told Gary that he didn't believe that Dr. Mark's signature was valid on the letter Gary presented, proof that he was unable to work.  

"Contempt!" the judge proclaimed.  

Gary's not a deadbeat dad.  He's always paid his child support on time... up until last year when he became disabled.  Now the only way he can pay is through credit cards.

This was his last visitation with his daughter.  

Family courts destroy people!

For This We Pay Big Bucks?

 

Since we married in 2002, Gary and I have put aside THIS WEEK as our time together.  Alone.  No worries. No kids. No dogs. No family or friends.  No evil ex's or disgruntled customers.   No laundry or dishes.  No conferences or meetings.  No deadlines or phone calls.  

 Just Amish strangers in Ohio, Dorothy and Toto in Indiana, the sun setting on Lake Michigan, countless things to do, and an entire seven days with not a care in the world. 

Unfortunatly this year has not been profitable. 

 In addition to sales being way down, Gary's ex keeps wanting more and more money for their soon-to-be 18 year old daughter's child support + psychology bills + private Christian school tuition .... 

 This whole child custody/support thing has made Gary pretty sick with his Crohn's and the family courts refuse to acknowledge that he's no longer able to work full time. 

The X keeps taking him back to court for more and more money, and he now owes tens of thousands of dollars on charge cards, trying to keep his obligation up to date. 

 I seriously think the X enjoys seeing us struggle. 

 The alienated, hateful child will be 18 this week, but still has a year of Christian school left and that equals an average of $700 a month child support for us to pay. 

 Don't get me wrong.  Every parent should pay for the support of their children...  But this is a unique and unfair case.  I've researched the family court messes, and I've yet to see one as inhumane and crooked as what this one has been.   Gary hasn't been allowed to see his daughter for four years now.  He's taken back to court every few months for increases in his support though.  *shake's head*   

And so... we've broken the yearly tradition of finding peace in a loud and busy world.  Maybe next year.   

Click on the Title- link and find the daughter's latest youtube video, added yesterday. 

  This bothers me for some reason.

Ok.  I'm done.  Just had to vent.  Thanks for listening.

Remembering Athena

Today I'm feeling a little sad for Gary. After being alienated from his daughter four years ago, he receives yet another child support increase in the mail. He obeys the rules so well, and provides so loyally even though he has no contact with the child he loves so much. I remember when I first met her... his daughter Athena. This picture in particular... She cried that day, almost all day. He was taking her home after a long weekend together.

Our girls got along so well. Good times!

The way this child was ripped from her father's life was cruel and heartless. He mourns for her each day. He suffers from the emotional scars as I'm sure Athena does as well. Today I remember and am sad.