WS called tues. night said kids would be over at 5:30 weds. instead at 5:00 a sherriff comes to the door and serves me a order of protection. I can't see or talk to my children for a week. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> This is so low but my friends tried to warn me. I am so torn up right now. How dare she keep the kids away. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" /> I hope this whole thing backfires on her. I have tried so hard to be civil about this whole thing but I have my back against the wall. I am scared to be alone cause I won't have a witness to say where I was at any certain time. I could be 100 miles away and she could call and say I was harrasing her and I go to jail!! Anybody been here? What happens next?

I haven't been there but a few things you should do.
Get a lawyer NOW!
If/when you see her (after the order is up), even if she is just dropping off the kids, make sure you have another adult with you at all times. Then any accusations made can be refuted immmediately.

I've never been there, but a friend had a problem.
I suggested that she take photos showing her location & the time. Do you have a digital camera? If so, you can take tons of pictures without spending alot of money.

You can use the TV to document the time. Find a station that shows the time on it - the weather channel or the listings. When you are worried about proving your whereabouts, set up the camera to take a photo of you, in a room that people would recognize and make sure the time/date on the TV show. It sounds ridiculous, but may be worth it.

Adam,

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.

You seem like a good father, a nice guy. Your kids know who you are. They won't like this at all. I'm sorry for them too.

I was thinking... re your oldest two kids. Are they allowed to visit friends - just say "Mom, I'm going over to a friend's house?" Why wouldn't they be free to visit you? Your oldest, does she drive yet? Can she bring her bro and come visit you?

But then there's the "baby". How can you stand to be away from them all?

I can only imagine your pain in this situation.

When this order is lifted, I would advise you to just go move back in. I don't think she's going to take the kids and move out. That was a bluff.

You said you moved out so that you W wouldn't move out with the kids. She has (or had) no more right to take them than you did when you moved out.

But, of course, ask your lawyer before you take any advice from me.

I haven't been there or done that. My W moved out with my baby when she was 6 months old. We're back together again, and I can tell you I would never allow that to happen again. While we are still married, if W goes, she goes alone - and I won't go. My little girl is almost 3 now. I think we're going to stay together.

-AD

<small>[ August 14, 2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: AD. ]</small>

You have a legal right to a court hearing.

On the paperwork you received it should say how many days you have to file for said requested hearing, then you will be able to be heard in court. Does the PO list the children?

Seek legal counsel.

Yes it list the children and there is a date(next wed.) for a hearing. She is mad because she keeps asking for more $ and I happened to drive by on the way to a friends house that lives nearby and saw someone she hired to cut the grass when we have a perfectly good lawnmower <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> . I mentioned something to my son about it on the phone that evening when I called him and she found out I drove by and said I was stalking her. She put down alot of exaggerated accuasations and lies about everything. I hope my children see exactly what their mother is all about!!

Please don't take this wrong.....but having had to file a RO, here are some things to think about....perhaps talk to a mutual friend for their perspective...

Is it at all possible, that your wife may feel intimidated or pressured by you? Even if you think her feelings are unjustified, it's HER feelings that matter. Several of your comments really bothered me.....you are critical of her for having the lawn mowed, you are driving by and checking up on her, you want your children to see what their mother "is really about". Those aren't exactly loving, edifying, marriage building feelings. I know in her shoes, that attitude would probably make me react the same way.

Perhaps the RO was a desperate attempt to get some space from you?

Just a thought......