In 2003, Fathers and Families publicized a story of a San Diego-based US Navy Seal who was quickly deployed after the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.  While overseas fighting for his country, the military father had his minor child relocated from California to the Middle East by the mother against his will and without his consent.  He opened up to Glenn Sacks and painfully admitted, “Sometimes I wonder what I risked my life [in Afghanistan] for. I went to fight for freedom but what freedom and what rights mean anything if a man doesn’t have the right to be a father to his own child?”  To read the full story of this brave military father, click here.

Like this Navy Seal, many military servicemembers are not able to have a voice in the courtroom as they fight thousands of miles away for their country.  In the past, the primary residential parent of the parties’ child could relocate to another state or country and change the child’s residency without the consent of the other parent.  They could enter a courtroom and file for divorce immediately after the deployment of the soldier; making him not part of the decision process and dictating a visitation schedule upon his return.  Father/child bonds were lost due to extreme absence and lack of contact; letters to children never delivered and phone calls from overseas never answered.  In an effort to make the family law system more balanced for both parties, supporters and advocates of equal rights have joined their voices together and we now have begun to see the fruits of their labor.

According to Florida’s recent legislation concerning temporary and concurrent custody of a child, effective July 1, 2010, military fathers can rest easier knowing that the bill states:

• Parents assigned to military service on orders may designate a person to exercise time-sharing on that parent’s behalf.
• Parents assigned to military service may petition for expedited hearings.
• Requires non-military parent to cooperate to resolve issues and share information regarding the child.
• Protects military parents that object to custody modifications and allows them to state their objection formally, prior to any final order being awarded.
• States that any order granting concurrent custody does not affect ability of the other parent to obtain physical custody of child at any time.

To read the general bill and/or receive additional information, please visit MyFloridaHouse.gov.

To see the original article posted by Fathers and Families, please click here.

Military separations and divorces must be handled by competent attorneys that are equipped to handle the complex, time-sensitive and unique issues that arise in servicemen’s domestic dissolutions. As such, it is vital that you select a law firm with military-related family law experience to represent your best interest.  

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm proudly represents Husbands and Fathers that are both active-duty and retired military. 

Fathers, Families, Fairness.

“It’s been a long, long process and to finally get this part behind us. I feel great, even though we still have more to get done.”

Judge Marya Nega said Dwyane Wade had proven irreconcilable differences with Siohvaughn, even though it may already have been apparent in the court of public opinion. But child custody of the couple’s two sons and the division of marital assets still have to be worked out.

Dwyane Wade still retains physical custody of his children until further proceedings determine a final ruling, according to the judge’s order. Michael Kalcheim, the tenth divorce attorney in Chicago to represent Siohvaughn Wade, said he plans to file an appeal.

He told reporters that it was improper to finalize a divorce without also finalizing child custody and financial matters:

“The judge made a mistake.”

Even though this saga may very well have another chapter, Dwyane Wade is now looking forward to charting his future in the NBA. He will become a free agent as early as this week and may very well command a $100 million contract.

The couple, who first become romantically involved at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, had been separated for nearly three years before the recent dissolution of their marriage.

James Pritkin, Dwyane Wade’s Illinois family law attorney, took the opportunity to rattle off a basketball metaphor:

“Mrs. Wade has committed her final flagrant foul. Her game is over.”

Well, maybe not quite. This could go into overtime.

In the past, Fathers were considered to be the primary breadwinners; the parent who was often absent due to work and not involved in the everyday details of their children’s lives.  “The Evolution of Dad” film reflects on this past idea of, “society perpetuating that the distant, productive, bring home the bacon father is the only way to really love your children.”  Nowadays, children also turn to Fathers to bandage their scrapes, cook their meals, read them bedtime stories and offer hugs and kisses when they’re feeling down.

Dana H. Glaster is a stay-at-home dad who cares for his two sons while his wife, Deborah, goes to work each day.  While going against the expectations of society and what a father should be, Dana expresses to the New York Times that he “felt like a failure, and I felt alone, and yes, I’ll admit it, I often felt like less than a man.”   Dana grabbed hold of the opportunity to enlighten and make the world aware of the changing roles of fathers in his documentary, “The Evolution of Dad.” 

In “The Evolution of Dad,” Glaster outlines a cornucopia of different situations wherein the father/child relationship challenges older stereotypes and shares why being a father in today’s world is so wonderfully unique. 

The Evolution of Dad – Official Movie Trailer:

To purchase your copy of “The Evolution of Dad,” please visit the official site by clicking here.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm is proud to represent Husbands and Fathers in their fight for fairness and equality concerning their parental rights. 

Fathers, Families, Fairness.

Sheen and Richards have two daughters, Sam, 6 years old, and Lola, 4 years old.  Even though Sheen no longer has custody rights, he still visits his daughters for dinners and pays $50,000 in child support every month.

The mission of our firm is to make sure fathers never feel like they have to give up when it comes to their kids.  Call us today at 407-644-1895 to discuss your situation and find out how we can help you protect your parental rights.

To read the original article from All Headline News, click here.

www.MensDivorceLaw.com

A local father, William Fain, explained how every study shows children are better off with two fit parents.  He then responded to critics who asked how it is better for the child to be shuffling back and forth between homes by saying that the court should have intervened when his family moved frequently because one of his parents was in the military.  “I went to seven schools in twelve years, and the state never said that’s bad for your child,” Fain shared.

No other state in the country has passed legislation like this, so it is uncertain how the vote will turn out next week in Tennessee.  The Men’s Divorce Law Firm is pleased to see others taking action against the inequality fathers face in the courtroom.  Whether or not the bill passes, we hope it will open more people’s eyes to the Men’s Divorce Law Firm’s mission of promoting fathers, families, and fairness.

Click here to read News Channel 5’s coverage of the bill.

www.MensDivorceLaw.com

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm appreciates that other states are calling for equal treatment for parents in regards to child custody.  We hope that this will help parents communicate more effectively after a divorce and consider each other’s visitation rights more carefully. 

To follow the bill’s progress, visit the Illinois General Assembly Bill Status online.

www.MensDivorceLaw.com

Rebecca claimed that when they were married, Joseph agreed to raise their kids Jewish and had even converted to Judaism himself.  Joseph agreed that he had adapted to Rebecca’s religious practices to appease her parents and reduce any conflict in the family.  He did, however, deny that he had ever agreed to raise his kids Jewish, stating that religion was never a significant part of their life together.

As the marriage dissolved, Joseph said he was beat up in divorce court.  He felt the court was rigged against men because Rebecca got the car, the house, and custody of Ela.  After the divorce, Joseph baptized his daughter in a Catholic Church.  Rebecca went to court after she found out about the baptism, and the Chicago judge agreed that Joseph should be barred from exposing Ela to other religions during his visitations.

When the judge ruled, Joseph was shocked.  He felt there was no proof he had harmed his daughter by taking her to church or having her baptized, so he protested by taking a television crew with him and his daughter to a Catholic mass.  Rebecca is now charging Joseph with indirect criminal contempt that could lead to a jail sentence of up to six months.  Joseph’s attorney claims his client did not take his daughter to church out of spite, but that he did it because he believed in a fundamental principle.  “There are dads all over this country whose rights to be a parent are being infringed upon.  Noncustodial parents, overwhelmingly dads, get the short end of the stick.” Joseph explained.

Despite all of the media attention and controversy, both parents hope the case ends amicably.  They have said they are willing to expose Ela to both religions, but they want to reach a fair agreement.  Joseph is open to raising Ela Jewish as long as he can take her to church with him on Sundays and other holiday observances that fall during his visitation times.

Click here to read 20/20’s full story.

www.MensDivorceLaw.com

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm supports fathers who are filing for child custody.  We constantly maintain our mission for fathers, families, and fairness.  Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Click here to read the Washington Post’s article, “U.S. presses Japan over parental child abductions.”

www.MensDivorceLaw.com

To buy the book from Amazon, click here.

Although lawyers for the Brazilian family did not respond to multiple requests for comment, the press in Brazil reported that family representatives said the child, Sean, would be turned over to his father, David Goldman, and that the family would seek no further legal remedies. Mr. Smith, a New Jersey Republican who has helped Mr. Goldman with his case, said lawyers from both sides agreed on a plan that would have the family deliver Sean to his father at the American Consulate in Rio at 9 a.m. (6 a.m. Eastern time).

Mr. Goldman lives in Tinton Falls, N.J. The legal battle, waged in American and Brazilian courts, began when Sean’s mother, a Brazilian, traveled with him from the United States to Brazil in 2004. She then asked for a divorce from Mr. Goldman and declared her intention to keep their son. She died last year. Brazil’s chief Supreme Court justice ordered Tuesday that the boy be returned to his father.

Mery Galanternick contributed reporting from Rio de Janeiro.

Article courtsey of the New York Times

Article By | KIRK SEMPLE

Published | December 23, 2009