A place for open letters to the good people of the world.

Bodie,

If they're under 18, she can pursue it through the courts.

IJAG

 

IJAG,

They all are. I get that she thinks the kids need a father, but if he isn't doing his job, he shouldn't get to see them.

Bodie

 

Bodie,
He should still be paying child support, whether he sees them or not.

KY

 

KY,

I know. I get that. My dad did when my parents split up. But I kinda think had he not, my mom woulda said "You wanna see your sons, pay up." As she should have. It seems that withholding visitation should be a means to get something?

Bodie

 

Bodie,

I would think that the courts would garnish his wages if he really, truly wouldn't pay. My mom was an accountant and had to deal with this quite a bit. I'm with those who say the kids need their dad, so even though he's a jerk if he's not paying, they shouldn't be the ones to suffer.

Just my two cents,
CP

 

Bodie,

I intentionally avoided all law school classes about family law so I have no idea what I'm talking about but that won't stop me. Is there are divorce or separation agreement that sets out child support requirements and visitation rights? If no, then she needs to get to a court and get an agreement in place so that there is something to be enforced. If there is, she should call the lawyer who represented her to find out the procedure in your state to use when child support payments aren't being made - ie, how to get his wages garnished. If there is an agreement in place, I think she is legally obligated to follow what it says about his access to the kids, even if he isn't paying child support. Another question for her lawyer. Even then, there's the point copperpot raises.

Amy

 

Dear wife,

Thank you for an incredible first year. I don't deserve anyone close to how great you are, but am so thankful you love me.

Happy anniversary.

 

Matt,

Where were you when you saw her for the first time, and what was your first impression based on the first thing she said?

X

 

Board,
Need some good thoughts/prayers/vibes for my sister, Bethany.

She's about 10 weeks pregnant and went to the hospital Thursday for a checkup. She thought she had miscarried and they ran a bunch of tests on her that found the baby is fine, the heartbeat is strong and momma is OK too. But she's still at risk, for 10 more weeks, of miscarrying.

And she just recently ended things with the baby's daddy, so she's got that drama on top of everything else at the moment.

I know she was at first scared out of her mind to being a single mom to two kids, but she told me last night she believes this is what was laid out for her after praying about it. She's happier now than I've seen her in months.

I hope it stays that way, too. And I can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew in a few months.

KY

 

Songbird,

I used to volunteer as a mentor at Partner's Mentoring Youth (basically, Big Brothers Big Sisters). She was the intern that sat in on my interview.

I knew there was some connection, just with the way she laughed at all my bad jokes and how she'd look at me when I glanced over at her. The interview was on a Friday. The following Monday I called up there and asked her out. It's been a great four years. Ups and downs, all for the best.

-MS

 

KY,

So sorry to hear about all of that. I'll keep her in my prayers. Can't say I know too much about what that's like, but my mother had a miscarriage when I was about 6. Broke her heart, but the family pulled through, and a little more than a year later my youngest sister was born and am so grateful.

I know religion can be a touchy subject, but I truly believe God tests us for a reason. Give your sister all the support she needs. Family is an incredible crutch through hard times and it's obvious you care about her, deeply. Be there for her.

-MS

 

Matt,
That's what she told me last night. Before Thursday, she wasn't sure if she was going to keep the baby. But after all that, she believed it was His way of showing her she was going to be a great parent to the new addition -- with or without help from the jackass of an ex.

She said she's much happier because she's back where she belongs -- around family and not around the stuff her ex was doing.

I'm glad to have her closer again, which means I'll hopefully get to see more and more of my nephew.

Thanks for the kind words, buddy.

KY