questions & answers

Question: I have shared custody with ex husband (divorced 2005) with our 16 year old. He has had residential custody since 2011. He was abusive to our now 24 year old and has repeated physical and mental abuse with our 16 yr old. I can't afford legal counsel and live in a different state. What can be done from my current state of residence to obtain physical custody asap. The State Agency and police officers prior have stated that it's just discipline. What 200 lb man needs to choke, hold down on floor with knee in chest to discipline a less than 130 lb girl? Very smart. Honor roll student.

Answer:

If you are concerned about abuse you may want to seek a temporary emergency custody order while you modify the current parenting time agreement. Forms can be found online at your county's superior court self-service center. If your county does not have forms many counties accept the Maricopa County Superior Court forms. There self-service center can be found here: https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/Forms/FamilyCourt/index.asp. You may also want to contact the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. They can be reached by their website at: http://www.acesdv.org or at their hotline 602-279-2900.