ohheykatie
New Member
Please help me, I am a sixteen year old girl seeking legal information on custody rights and laws. Here is my story.
I hope you don't immediately see this and think; "oh great, another teenager trying to get away from their parents. How surprising." My case is very long and tedious. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking for help.
My parents divorced in 2007, my eighth grade year. At first my mother was awarded full custody while my father had visiting rights. This only worked temporarily, as my mother has several severe health and psychological issues that prevented her from adequately caring for me. I got into substance abuse, and was suspended several times from my school. On my own behalf I decided to move in with my father and his girlfriend, as my mother could not care for me. At first, things went well. It took me a long time to recover from my problems but I am currently completely recovered. Custody rights now state my father has full custody, with no visiting rights to my mother. My dad's girlfriend is not somebody I like very much. She has four children, aged 15, 14, 11, and 9. She also has Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) which causes her to have severe mood swings and rages. My father, behind the law's back took a job in Virginia full time, returning to upstate Pennsylvania on weekends. I am trapped in a house 5 days a week with a woman I hate, and four children who are strangers to me. I am constantly made fun of for being different, and as a result my self esteem is low and I suffer from depression. When my father does return home, he spends his time with his girlfriend, and communication within the household is at a minimum.
I don't know if this goes as anything; but in a fight with my dad's girlfriend; lets call her Shelly; she grabbed my wrist and refused to let go. She also has pushed me, verbally abused me, and accused me of several things I did not do in order to put herself between me and my father. Over the course of two years, she has made me a nervous wreck of a person, always treading lightly out of fear.
My best friend's mother and father have seen the abuse and the negative way it has affected my well being, and have offered me a room in their household, offered me care, and even the option of being legally adopted.
They live five minutes down the road from my current location, and I'm wondering stating the nature of my case if a legal alternative is possible, that does not include staying with my father in Virginia or my oldest brother in Delaware.
Please, I'm seeking help desperately.
Much appreciated, Katie.
I hope you don't immediately see this and think; "oh great, another teenager trying to get away from their parents. How surprising." My case is very long and tedious. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking for help.
My parents divorced in 2007, my eighth grade year. At first my mother was awarded full custody while my father had visiting rights. This only worked temporarily, as my mother has several severe health and psychological issues that prevented her from adequately caring for me. I got into substance abuse, and was suspended several times from my school. On my own behalf I decided to move in with my father and his girlfriend, as my mother could not care for me. At first, things went well. It took me a long time to recover from my problems but I am currently completely recovered. Custody rights now state my father has full custody, with no visiting rights to my mother. My dad's girlfriend is not somebody I like very much. She has four children, aged 15, 14, 11, and 9. She also has Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) which causes her to have severe mood swings and rages. My father, behind the law's back took a job in Virginia full time, returning to upstate Pennsylvania on weekends. I am trapped in a house 5 days a week with a woman I hate, and four children who are strangers to me. I am constantly made fun of for being different, and as a result my self esteem is low and I suffer from depression. When my father does return home, he spends his time with his girlfriend, and communication within the household is at a minimum.
I don't know if this goes as anything; but in a fight with my dad's girlfriend; lets call her Shelly; she grabbed my wrist and refused to let go. She also has pushed me, verbally abused me, and accused me of several things I did not do in order to put herself between me and my father. Over the course of two years, she has made me a nervous wreck of a person, always treading lightly out of fear.
My best friend's mother and father have seen the abuse and the negative way it has affected my well being, and have offered me a room in their household, offered me care, and even the option of being legally adopted.
They live five minutes down the road from my current location, and I'm wondering stating the nature of my case if a legal alternative is possible, that does not include staying with my father in Virginia or my oldest brother in Delaware.
Please, I'm seeking help desperately.
Much appreciated, Katie.
