Does anyone know of a fantastic child custody lawyer that supports dads in the Nashville area?? We have already been through 2. (not 2 custody battles) Any advice from stepmoms and dads?? My husband and his ex divorced when my stepdaughter was 1. She is now 6. My husband has the typical every other weekend thing and extra time on holidays and summer. We are searching for someone to help us obtained shared custody. One week on, one week off. I hope that clarifies. Thank you so much for your advice!!
In cases of shared custody, it is much easier for a child to adapt if the week is split 4 days one week and 3 the next then it is for them to adapt to one week with one parent and the next week with the other. With one week on and one week off it is difficult to get into any sort of routine and very confusing for young children.
I hope that you find a good attorney and am sorry that I do not have a recommendation.
Good luck.
Richard Reiter. Not only is he a wonderful lawyer, but he treats each case with as much passion as if it were him going through it. He is the absolute BEST. It is in the Atlanta area, though, and I don't know where you are from. However, you can always call and ask him if he knows anyone in your area, since I am sure he would. He will help with anything AT ALL that you need. He is not overly expensive and at the very least, if you are in Tennessee, he will give you some good advice on what you can and should do if you just call. Good luck!
Address: 287 Hilo Rd.
Fayetteville, GA 30215-2445
Phone: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
Will Roberson of Cookeville or Anthony Maxwell of Livingston.
I know both men from previous court hearings and know both of them "personally". They both are for the children. If you believe the child is better off with you and your husband, they are two great hearted men that will fight for the best interest of the child.
Phillip Robinson, Nashville. He is related to judge Merial Robinson in Davidson County Circuit Court:)
My ex husband went for custody of his girls. This lawyer is fantastic- expensive but fantastic.
See if you there's a local branch/supporter of F.O.R.C.E (Father's On Rights for Custody Equailty) in your area. They may be able to hlep him with finding a lawyer that supports fathers. Also, if nothing else, most lawyers do not charge for an inital consulation visit, make appointments with a few and see if you guys can find one that you feel will be supportive. Good luck! My father got custody of my brother and I in the early 80's when it was still fairly un-heard of for the dad to even try.
Stevan L Black - ###-###-####, he is out of Memphis but it does not matter since custody and support will be a state matter. Steve is one of the best around.
His firm is Black, McLaren, Jones Ryland & Griffee PC
530 Oak Court Drive Suite 360
Memphis TN 38117
Honestly, custody really depends more on the judge than the lawyer. There is an attorney in Gallatin named Sue Hynds Dunning that might be able to help you. A few other options would be to call the Sumner Co. Bar Association and the Nashville Bar Association, they can give you referrals of attorneys that handle that specialty.
(I can tell you the attorney that the first lady mentioned that is in Memphis, yes he might be able to help because he practices in TN but your hearing is going to be in Sumner Co. and he's going to charge one heck of a "travel" rate to get here) My dad practiced in Nashville and charged $60.00 to go to Sumner County and he was much lower than most on travel charges.
Good Luck! I don't know how it is here in the States but my experience in New Zealand is that it is very hard for Dads to get custody from Moms. I wish I could help more. My best advice as one stepmom to another never ever critize the Mom to your stepdaughter. I bite my tongue and would only say 'I wouldn't do it that way but your Mom is doing what she thinks is best. She loves you.' I now have a great relationship with my four grown step-daughters. It wasn't always easy to bite my tongue but I am now enjoying a beautiful crop after a lot of manure. Best Wishes, A.
Your post set off some bells for me. I'm curious about having 'been through 2'. Does that mean that you've twice been told that custody is not likely for this father and unhappy with the result you are seeking a third or is there a different scenario?
I have been working with children through the court system in my county for YEARS and sometimes parents just can't seem to get that the constant court battles are horrible for the children and they will fight even when judge after judge dismisses the case. One was even admonished for putting his children through such a horrible time in forever seeking custody though it had been ruled time and time again that he was not getting custody. Look at it from that perspective--what is the child gaining by this?
I have personally seen a number of cases where the stepmom didn't want to work any more and could stay home if the child support ended and that was the sole reason for the father seeking custody. Others where the father was trying to get back at his ex. But I've also seen plenty of cases where the dad did win because his was the better, more stable environment.
Has an attorney been appointed for the child(ren) to represent THEIR best interests in this matter? If not, that is what I'd ask for first and see what their opinion is. Normally this cost is shared by both parents on a split scale according to income levels of both sides. As far as an attorney who 'supports dads', any good attorney should be able to equally represent either a mother or a father in a custody case. If you are feeling that the two you have spoken to do not support a father seeking custody, I think I would address that with the local Bar Association...if they however gave you very close advice about not seeking and the reasons why...the father may need to just take a dose of reality and realize that it is not in the cards for whatever reason.
Rosen Law Firm (Raleigh based) has a REALLY great site that has some good reference material you may want to review.
Good luck!
I can completely relate to your situation. I do not have the name of a good lawyer - we certainly could have used that a few years ago, but one of the books that helped me was "Stepmotherhood: How to Survive Without Feeling Frustrated, Left Out or Wicked'. Best of luck to you - I know how hard it is to be the 'wicked stepmother' even when you do everything you can. The one piece of advice I have is for you and your husband to remember that you love each other and are on the same team. If your husband is supportive of you and doesn't always take the child's side that's very helpful, too. If things get rough, I can recommend Dr. Jay Woodman - he is an excellent psychologist and has extreme knowledge in trial settings and works with families for trials and also counseling. I would highly recommend him.
