Good custody lawyer for Fathers? Just discovered my 13yo is smoking her Mom's pot (with her).

[Anonymous]

I just discovered via my daughter's phone and one of her social media sites that she has been smoking her Mom's pot, and apparently trading it and selling it, with her Mom's knowledge. I have legal custody but the custody agreement is that the Mother has time too. I agreed to let my ex have the kids for an extended stay in July and it has been a nightmare ever since she came home - she's exploding on me, cursing at me, blatantly disobeying me, trying to run away, etc. I confiscated her phone and found multiple texts about her smoking her Mother's pot with her Mother and I found a social media account where she, stupidly, posted video of herself smoking pot with friends.

I went through a very extended custody and divorce settlement with her Mother and due to financial limitations chose do settle with legal custody but shared physical custody. The shared physical custody clearly has to stop since my ex has a serious disorder and is clearly not parenting rationally.

My last lawyer was not, in my opinion, working hard enough for me and seemed to be used to working with Mom's as opposed to Father's and the law can be a lot tougher on men in custody cases. Could someone recommend a custody lawyer who is known for helping out Fathers?

[Anonymous]

Wow. No attny recs but take screen shots and save them!

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry! It sounds like your ex has a lot of issues.

[Anonymous]

I would call CPS not a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call CPS not a lawyer.

I agree with this. Also, save all evidence of her and her mom together doing illegal activities.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you are having to go through this but glad you are a parent willing to take action. Definitely take screen shots.

I would not take the advice to call CPS - talk about nightmare- research that option carefully. Hopefully someone else will have the name of a lawyer for you because either way, you will need it. Check Washingtonian for those "Best" lists if no one here gives you any suggestions.

[Anonymous]

What state are you in?

[Anonymous]

Fuck CPS. Call the police.

[Anonymous]

Cordell and Cordell is a decent, mid-budget firm in Maryland. I'm sure there are others, if you have more to spend.

[Anonymous]

what jurisdiction?

[Anonymous]

Do NOT call the police. Depending on your jurisdiction his daughter will end up in juvenile detention. Once you are apart of that system (no matter how good of a kid you are) you will NEVER get them out. They end up being scarred by the incarceration and become so much worse.

[Anonymous]

Do not call the police or PDs. Call the judge. File a motion for emergency custody and explain the situation in the motion. CPS could take the child from both of you and the police would just issue a citation causing you to have to pay all kids of money or go to counseling.

[Anonymous]

You can deny visitation unilaterally on the basis of your daughter's safety. I'd do that, and reach out to a lawyer. Leslye Fenton is good.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the advice. I'm in Montgomery County, MD.

I've called the police and taken my daughter to the Montgomery drug screening and testing division - part of "Tree House" in an effort to make my 13yo know how serious this is, which is hard b/c her Mother has repeatedly told her "its not a big deal to smoke pot." Other things are in the works.

Calling the two firms recommended and have also contacted my divorce lawyer even though I'm very unhappy with how he handled my divorce and custody case.

[Anonymous]

I recommend Sara Scott and Sogand Zamani (partners with office in DC but lots of montgomery cases) or Kate McDonough with Andelman and Flynn in Silver Spring. Excellent lawyers who won't churn your case and with reasonable rates.