At the Law Offices of Scott David Stewart, our attorneys regularly meet with fathers requesting child custody related legal representation. These fathers want regular, significant involvement with their children. Fathers often believe that their best parenting efforts have been thwarted, through no fault of their own. The Court system may have worked to frustrate the father’s efforts. The Judge in the divorce may have ruled against the father. The opposing party may have pushed an agenda to minimize the father’s role in their children’s lives. Regardless of how it occurred, both father and child suffer when a father’s parenting role is diminished.

In Arizona child custody cases, both parents have their actions, judgments, and statements scrutinized by both the Child Custody Evaluator and the Court. One of the key components in a custody case is the level of each parent’s involvement with the child. When a father seeks significant involvement with his child, he must be committed, fully prepared, and have a plan.

The father in a custody case must convince the Judge or custody evaluator that he should be given equal access to the children for parenting time. If the father seeks primary custody, then it is absolutely essential that he establish the requisite dedication, character, and responsible nature to be there for his child “day-in and day-out.”

With our experience in fathers’ rights, we have learned to recognize some common mistakes that fathers make in their child custody cases. The suggestions below are a vital part of any father’s successful child custody case.

Child custody cases often involve accusations that the father hasn’t been spending time with the children. Because child custody cases can take months to resolve, and require full and accurate descriptions of parenting time, you should document — on a calendar or in a parenting journal — what occurred during parenting time. Failure to account accurately for parenting time in a child custody case may seriously damage your credibility. Document special activities with the child, such as a trip to the park, a swim at a neighborhood pool, a special events with friends, a child’s softball game, or time spent with extended family.

Father’s need to be involved in their children’s extracurricular activities. Whenever possible, adjust your schedule so you can be there, personally, to witness your child’s participation in these activities. If your child has a particular interest, such as math and science, then investigate the kinds of classes and activities that will help your child develop that interest. Think about activities that you would like to participate in, too. Your personal interest will show in your genuine enthusiasm. Look to activities that draw on interests your child has talked about.

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Once you’ve identified an activity, investigate implementation. Learn where your child can pursue the activity, and be prepared to show proximity to your home. Also, try to show how any actual or planned activities, such as swimming lessons or softball, will work into a proposed parenting schedule.

Make sure that you know who your child’s coaches are, and with any team sport, know who the child’s teammates are. Be knowledgeable not only about the position your child plays, but about the team’s overall performance record. Make sure that you are up to date on the team’s practice and game schedule.

Issues over a father’s uninvolvement in the child’s extracurricular activities may be the result of being “left out of the loop,” so to speak. If the activity was initiated by the mother, and she failed to consult with you, then be proactive and discuss the activity with her. Make sure that you save copies of emails and text messages on the topic. Maybe the mother doesn’t notify you of dates, times, and locations for games and practices. Don’t be victim to the whims of the other parent, and don’t leave yourself vulnerable to accusations of poor parenting. Do your homework, investigate and get your child’s schedule from a team-player’s parent, from the league representative, or from the organization’s activity website. Get your name on the email distribution list for newsletters, game times and locations, and practice locations and schedule changes. In that way, you will not be reliant on the other parent’s good will, and you’ll stay apprised of your child’s schedule.

The more involved you can demonstrate you are with your child’s activities, the stronger your child custody case will be. Don’t let yourself be characterized as an uninterested father with no time for the child because you’re a chronic no-show at the child’s activities. Get involved early on, arrange to get every schedule, show up at the child’s activities, and always stay connected.

To fully understand how your child’s education is progressing, there is perhaps no simpler method than to actively participate in the process. Help your child work through homework assignments and special event projects, such as the school’s annual science fair. A little guidance from an interested, supportive father goes a long way toward helping your child achieve, accomplish, and gain confidence.

Be knowledgeable about your child’s education. Be cognizant of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Be aware of any problems at school and after school. Get to know all of your child’s teachers. The teachers will, in turn, get to know you because you’re a father who makes himself available and is fully engaged in the student’s homework and projects. These are all significant, persuasive factors that demonstrate how you have been consistently involved, focused, and engaged in your child’s education.

Of all the educational special events involving your child, probably the most influential is the parent-teacher conference. Attend the conference fully prepared to discuss all aspects of your child’s educational progress and society at the school. Be knowledgeable and apprised of every element of your child’s educational development. If you, as a father, desire equal parenting time with the child’s mother, or desire to be the child’s primary custodial parent, then it is absolutely critical that you show your parenting commitment and attend parent-teacher conferences as scheduled.

If you desire significant parenting involvement, then your commitment, preparation, and planning could not be better illustrated than with a well developed child daycare plan. Many fathers are unsuccessful in custody cases because their child care plan was inadequate or nonexistent.

You must be prepared to demonstrate:

1) How you will properly care for their child while you’re at work.

2) How you will make adjustments to your work schedule.

3) How you will be flexible with needed care for the child.

4) How you will transport the child to activities and events.

5) How you will be as involved in your child’s life as you claim you want to be.

When it comes to daycare you should be very knowledgeable about, and very familiar with, the people who will care for your child. Know the name of the person in charge of the daycare facility. Know whether there are records about your child’s activities and behavior and, if there are, obtain copies for your custody case. Determine whether you’ll drop the child off or pick the child up (or both) at daycare, and get any records documenting your having done so. Be very involved in the selection of daycare providers for your child, including the interview process of potential providers. Make sure you investigate any problems that the facility has presently or has had in the past.

To be fully prepared for your child custody case, when you speak with the child’s school, a daycare provider, or a medical provider, take the time to document who you spoke with. List the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email contacts of the people you communicated with and summarize what you discussed with them.

Lastly, establish your ability to care for your child with supporting documents. For each and every aspect of raising the child — education, medical decisions, religious decisions, extracurricular activities, and the like — find something to document your involvement. Include formal and informal records, brochures, letters, emails, handwritten notes, and any writing that can be submitted in the child custody case on your behalf. Never miss an opportunity to collect evidence supporting your ability to parent your child.

By William Thacker

There is a strange and sad adoption program taking place in our American culture among International Adoption Agencies.  Four American Adoption agencies are offering adoption services from Morocco and part of the expensive price tag includes a requirement of the Government of Morocco to convert to Islam.  Yes you did read this correctly – it is a 2 for the price of 1, you get a new child and new religion for one low price of somewhere in the neighborhood of ,000 (not including travel expenses). 

Searching the Internet I found several American Adoption agencies offering adoptions in Morocco under the Kefala law of Islam.   Adopt Abroad Adoption Agency was the first to claim they offered Moroccan Adoptions.  A quick call to this agency and the information was vague, I was unable to find out just how many adoptions they have finalized under this bizarre adoption law.   However with further research I found that on the US State Department’s website, I found that Moroccan Adoptions were growing to the USA: 2008 (12)  2009 (20) and 2010 (32) total of 64 adoptions to the USA from Morocco in 3 years: http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=morocco  A list of sworn translators located throughout Morocco can be obtained by contacting the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco at The following is a list of basic documents required for the Kefala procedure:

·         Islam Conversion Document for the prospective adoptive parents

·         Birth Certificate for each prospective parent

·         Marriage certificate for the prospective parents (if applicable)

·         Health statement from a doctor practicing in Morocco

·         Work and salary statements for each prospective adoptive parent (if applicable)

·         Home study completed by a licensed U.S. home study provider

·         Photographs (the exact number and size required varies)

·         copy of passports of each prospective adoptive parent

The other thing of Interest on the US State Department website, it indicates that Morocco has not signed a Hague Convention agreement with the USA.  Which being a party to the Hague Convention a country is stating they have precautions in place to safeguard against human trafficking or selling of children/babies for referrals.  But then some people only want a child they care less about conversion to Islam or being ethical.  It’s hard to imagine that any self respecting American would stoop to this level just to have a child and submit to Islam.  Harder yet the US State Department 2010 report on page 4 indicates http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/fy2010_annual_report.pdf that 43 American Children from foster care were adopted OVERSEAS with Canada (19) and the Netherlands (18) being the countries very willing and able to adopt American children.  How is it that we as Americans have not provided for our children, yet we have couples willing to spend over ,000 travel over 6,000 miles and convert to Islam to adopt?   Yet couples in Canada and Netherlands are adopting American children.

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Moroccan children deserve the right to stay in their country with members of their fellow ethnicity and religion, the same is true for American children retaining their American culture and roots.

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The is open to married couples and single women. It is possible to adopt more than one child in a single adoption process. Morocco is flexible regarding the age of the adoption parents. Families must respect the child’s religious heritage.

Our that we’re very pleased to announce. In 2009, 20 U.S. Visas were issued to children of all ages—many of these issued to infants. While this is a new program to Hopscotch, we have partnered with a very experienced team in Morocco and expect that this program will be very popular. For our Morocco children and infant adopting, families must be comfortable in the knowledge that we are responding daily to the changes in process as they occur.  Additionally, Married couples and single women may adopt from Morocco. The country does not permit same sex marriage, partners or single men to adopt children from Morocco.  There is no age restriction on the prospective parents.  The prospective parents .  All prospective applicants to this program will be required by the in the presence of a court notary while in the country prior to the court proceedings.  The conversion appointment is completed on your first day of arrival.  We expect all applicants to take this very seriously and honor the legal codes and culture.  Conversion taking place in a manner, time or place other than in Morocco in the presence of a court notary or Imam will not meet the requirements for the purposes of obtaining guardianship, also known as ‘Kafalas’. http://www.hopscotchadoptions.org/pages/morocco.html

The culture of Morocco cherishes children. Due to conditions of poverty, some children are abandoned at a young age. Your time spent in Morocco will be culturally rich and will enable you to understand better the country and background of your child’s heritage. The prospective adoptive parent/s will begin the process by taking the following steps. They will file an I 600A with the embassy in their country of residence since Morocco has not signed the Hague as of this time. You will also begin a homestudy with an approved social worker. Please contact our agency before you begin this process to be sure that your social worker is qualified. Prospective adoptive parents of Moroccan children must be Muslim. Those who are not already Muslim can . Conversion does require that you reflect on your decision and make a knowledgeable, certain, sincere and truthful declaration of faith and intent with love, affection, . 

Salam and Peace be upon you!  Across the World Adoptions (ATWA) is excited to announce its pilot program for adoptions from Morocco.  Morocco, located in North Africa, is a short ferry ride from the tip of Spain.  It may be best known to many Americans for the romantic invitation to “Come with me to the Casbah.” The Casbah is a walled citadel or fortress woven with alleys and souks (markets).  The markets of Morocco are renowned for their splendor, variety and frequent invitations to join the proprietors in a glass of hot mint tea.

Our coordinator for Morocco is very experienced with the adoption process but families should be prepared for unexpected changes or delays in the program as it unfolds.  Although we use the term adoption in this description, families should think of the process in Morocco more as a guardianship or legal custody (“Kefala”) in preparation for adoption in the United States.

After reading and researching about this new adoption trend, I was disgusted with the marketing of children and the adoption process.  What has become of Americans that we adopt our children to Europeans and Canadians but would travel across the world, convert to Islam for the chance to adopt a child in a country that is not even a party to the Hague Convention?   Have we just become victims of some fancy marketing or notion of exotic adventure of adopting a child from an Islamic country?  Only time will tell if this latest trend in International Adoptions will pan out or just be another passing fancy done on a whim.

 
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Processing starts at 7AM – visting ends at 3PM – however the hospitality centers opens at 6AM you cannot be on the property before this.

New York State has 3 large prisons in Malone, NY – Upstate Correctional, Bare Hill Correctional and Franklin Correctional.  Within 1.5 hours of Malone there is an additional 3 large prisons. Clinton Correctional, Altona Correctional, Chateaugay Correctional.  There maybe more I do not even know about.  I could write an entire article about the ignorance of why New York State would even put this many prisons in this area when the population of inmates in these prisons comes primarily from New York City and other large upstate cities like Albany and Buffalo.  the families all have to travel to this far off town of Malone in order to visit loved ones who are incarcerated.  The cost of this trip is considerable.  Many children do not get to see there fathers or mothers for months at a time.  In these economic times when gas is over 3.00 a gallon the cost is enormous for families of inmates who have to travel 8 or 9 or 10 hours.

Bare Hill is considered one of the cookie cutter prisons in NYS – it was built during the 1980’s.  The visiting room is half the size it ought to be.  At some point they doubled the size of this prison but never doubled the size of the visiting room.  At busy times visits will be terminated to let more visitors in.  After driving all night this is not acceptable!

These cookie cutter dorms hold 60 men.  Many prisons across NY state are empty like Fishkill with entire dorms with no one living in them but yet they are heated.  Why is it that we need to ship people to the Canadian Border? When so many prisons downstate go empty? New York State Corrections needs to look at why this is.  If they don’t I am certain our new Governor Cuomo will be!

Bare Hill is a transient prison.  People come and go in this prison.  Some are there for a bit but the majority will only be there for short times.  You will find that most people either are coming out of S Block, parole Violators or Sex offenders but there are new people to the system.  This prison seems to be a disciplinary prison for the most part.  I am seeing that the majority of visitors to this prison are first time visitors to a New York Correctional Facility.

After traveling the majority of an overnight trip you want to make the very most of your time allowed to visit.  When you are at Bare Hill but under the current visiting procedure it is cuting the visit when you could be enjoying time with your loved one who is incarnated.

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The staff at Bare Hill are polite but not particularly friendly. Many visitors are not kind to them for this reason.  I see it over and over again in the Hospitality Center. If you are kind they will be kind back.

Hopefully Bare Hill Correctional facility will get the process down and speed it up for our visits.  There are many places where this can be done.  Educating first time visitors would be extremely helpful.  Having an area where children can play or watch tv during these long waits.  Children should not be expected to be quiet and well behaved during this time. These are children who are waiting to see there Dads, Uncles, Friends, Grandfathers these kids are excited by this!

Please do what you can and read below so the Bare Hill Correctional Visiting process can be spead up.  Waiting for hours on end is grueling after a long long car or bus ride up there and we all want to see our loved ones for as long a visit as possible!

Make sure you know which day you are allowed to visit. Ask your loved one for a schedule before you go up there. This changes from week to week according to the inmates DIN

When you arrive at Bare Hill Correctional check in at the Hospitality Center which is located as you pull in to the facility it is on your right.

You will sign in and the staff will give you a pass with a number on the corner make a notation when you sign in if you have a package – Fill out the pass completely

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You will need 2 forms of ID – one must be a government type ID with picture (license, passport, DMV ID etc)

– have this completely filled out

——————————————————————————————————————– wait for your number to be called then bring your package up to the officers in the hospitality center for an initial check.

You will wait once again till your number is called in the hospitality center

Numbers are called in groups of five – when called you will proceed to the Administration building

otherwise you are holding everyone up behind you.

When your number is called if you came by bus (only) and you need a locker please inform the officer they will get it for you.

Once your pass number is called you will proceed to the Administration Building where you will be processed – this building is located across the parking lot from the hospitality center.

If you are wearing an underwire bra or any metal you will be required to remove it if the detector rings.

You will be provided with clothing to go through the detector then change again back to your clothing.

This holds us all up it is suggested you wear a sports bra with no hooks and no metal on any clothing.

When visiting any NYS Correctional Facility bring a change of clothes just in case!

If you came by car bring your keys to the administration building and you will be provided with a bag to put them in.

When you arrive at the Administration Building you will be asked to be seated till your number is called.

When you are called you will sign into the log book hand your pass and ID to the officer at the desk.  You will wait till he checks the computer and enters your information.

The officer will then tell you when you can go to the metal detector.

Before going through the detector ask for a bag for your keys if needed.

Remove everything from your pockets, jewelry money etc and place it in the wooden box provided.  You will also place any outerwear and shoes in this box as well.

Once you pass without the metal detector going off you will be allowed access to the facility

Again you will not be allowed into the facility if the metal detector goes off!

You will go through a series of gates and finally this will lead you to a small visiting room where you will check in with the officers at the desk and they will assign you a table to sit at.

Visiting ends at 3pm however if you take a bus you will need to leave before the shift changes at 2:30 – the officers will make an announcement regarding this at 2pm

1.:Drug abuse has been a growing problem in our society for a number of years. When most people that I know have used drugs they loose touch with reality and the drugs are the most important thing in their lives. They may love their children but they began to get pushed to the backside of whats important.

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2.:When a person finally seeks help and goes into rehab someone has to try to maintain their household while they are in rehab so they have a place to return to. Their children,your grandchildren have to have a place to stay. This is assuming that both parents have a problem and most of the time this is the case but not always. Grandparents visitations rights are so important to the safety of children of such situations.

3.:Have you ever noticed that when drugs are involved financial problems appear because people on drugs tend to spend their money on drugs. They may even forget to keep food in the house. Just because they are on something that keeps them from being hungry they forget that their children are still hungry. It seems that all the money is spent on more drugs. I have honestly went to check on my grandchildren when they had not eaten for a long period of time and their parents in bed asleep in the middle of the day. Small children left up alone to take care of themselves.

4.: If rehab does not work then the next stop is jail. Our jails are over full with people that have been arrested for either using or selling drugs. Some for stealing for money to buy drugs. It is a terrible circle of events. some even end up in jail or prison more than once and your grandchildren will have to stay somewhere and do you want them in foster care. Most grandparents love there grandchildren and are willing to keep them so they can be with people they love.

Now I would like to share with you some of the things I have found out. I hope you never have this problem but if you do be sure and search out your options. The New Grandparents Rights are certainly something to check out. I wish you all the best. Good luck with your grandchildren.

Jacquelyn Dunn

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacquelyn_Dunn

When a couple begins the process of the dissolution of their marriage, they each have a pretty strong idea of which one of them will pay the one paying the child support. A Denver child support attorney will step in to help the litigation of the child support based on several key factors, all of which will be closely regarded by the courts. These factors include the duration of the marriage, any property settlements or separate individual property of the parties, the lifestyle of the marriage, the physical, emotional and age of the party asking for the child support payments and the other spouse’s ability to pay the indicated amount of child support.

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A Denver child support attorney may certainly aid in the deflection of costly and lengthy court appearances. Although the majority of these court date appearances do not end up with both parties before the judge, they can be expensive in attorney costs, traveling costs and the cost of being off from work. If by chance the court appearance is granted the judge will review the request of child support and take into consideration the key factors of how the child support will be handed down.

Provision for child support is calculated by the income shares model, which is based on the level of support on the total combined incomes of both parents. A Denver child support attorney can supply their clients with worksheets which can be obtained from the Colorado Judicial Branch Child Support Guidelines, which are used to determine the level of child support.

Child support can continue beyond the first eighteen years of a child’s life for several reasons. A Denver child support attorney can advise a parent on their obligations to a child who has disabilities or engages in the pursuit of secondary educational venues which require additional years of child support.

A Denver child support attorney can readily take a request from the parent who has physical custody of the child to the other spouse’s attorney during the waiting period of a court date. The results can be an acceptance of the terms from both or just one of the parents or the revisions or modifications of the post divorce decree.

The Denver child support attorney can also aid the parent seeking child support with the means to procure medical insurance and medical care for their child. These are important specific child support issues which need to be address at the time of the calculation of the monetary support payments ordered by the court.          

My father has history of eye problems. He had low vision in the nights since he was child , then he had glucoma and other such eye related problem. In 1994 he lost his vision , almost completely. Doctors said that its case of some bacterial degeneration that has covered the retina and viens connecting brain with eye have dried up. We tried in three different hospitals in three different cities but all doctors said that he cannot see ever again…

So eye problem always sounded alaraming to us. 3 years back my younger sister took my mother to number eye surgeon of my city for regular checkup. The doctor said that my mother has Cataract (motiya) in her left eye while her right eye is normal. He advised to get her operated at earliest. We contacted our family doctor and he advised some other hospital for the operation. Since we had example of my father , we were worried. Considering the reputation of the surgeon whom we had consulted we decided to over rule our family doctor’s advise and get my mom operated in that surgeon’s hospital..

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Every thing went of fine. We took care of her after operation as advised and then took her for routine checkp up after fifteen days. The staff of surgeon gave us few precautionary advises and asked her to return after fifteen days.

When I went to the doctor along with my mother after 15 days , what doctor said sounded fishy to me. He said now there is also a problem with right eye. But that was alright a month back and now there is a problem??..I decided to have second opinion. In my office building itself there is an eye hospital. But since this surgeon was most reputed , we had decided to get her operated by him rather than the hospital in my building. I decided to take second opinion from this doctor now.

When i went to this doctor along with my mother , what he said to me shocked me . He said your mother’s right eye is perfectly normal . In fact she is able to see better with right eye than left one in which the len has been fitted!!!!!!!!!!!!

I asked this doctor that is it possible that my mother didnt have catract at first place??…He said quite possible but since it has been already operated , no one can prove that. But as per my experience there is very very strong possibility of that…

It has been 3 years now when that surgeon asked me to get my mom operated in right eye too.. In 3 years , we have gone for check up six times with the new doctor. My mom’s right eye is perfectly alright with no issues..

Moral of the story is :

1) Always get second opinion

2) Dont get swaped away with reputation of doctor , first consult other experts too..

Link :When My Mother Was Wrongly Operated

What is it that you want?  What do you want out of the divorce settlement? What is most important to you?  For more fathers going through divorce case for father’s rights, it is custody of their children, reasonable visitation rights, and lowered financial child support.  Narrow down on a piece of paper what it is that you want from your divorce so that you have a clear goal in mind.

Why should the judge give you what you want?  Look at all the items on your list, and base each on fact.  What facts can you use to assist you in obtaining what you want?  Why should you be granted custody of your kids?  Why should you deserve reasonable visitation rights?  How can you defend lowered child support payments?  Think these through before you go compiling your important court paperwork.

And third, how can you prepare these documents to the court to get a favorable response?  Remember, going into court with your only argument being “it’s not fair!” is not going to get you anywhere.  You’ll want to make sure that you package your case to get the best response from the decision makers in the courtroom, and getting others to stand behind you and fight for your cause. 

Many fathers have fought for their rights before you, and have paved the way for a future of more supportive, involved fathers, even with the growing divorce rates.  Know that you will be one of many that will fight for their children.  THIS is what you’re fighting for.  It’s not about the money, it’s not about the property, it’s not about anything else but the kids.

Going to visite de Rio is considered to be one of the best excursions for those living in Western Europe as well as in North America. Rio is considered to be the top place to visit in South America and there are many attractions as well as beautiful weather to enjoy in Rio. Those who visite Rio are not disappointed by the experience as they can enjoy the beaches all year long in Rio as well as the many attractions that take place throughout the year. One attraction that many people enjoy is Carnival, which takes place right before Lent. This draws a large crowd who visite Rio for this event every year.

The Christ the Redeemer statue is another reason why many people like to visite de Rio. This is a large statue that you can see up close when you take the tour and is considered to be one of the biggest attractions in Rio. The statue draws a tremendous crowd every year of those who can also see the statue when they fly in to Rio.

There are many tours that you can take all over Rio when you visite Rio.  You should plan your tours when you visite de Rio so that you can go again to places that you enjoyed during the tour. You can take a group tour when you are visiting Rio or you can take a private tour. If you prefer to be able to travel when you want and where you want, then you may prefer the private tour when you visite Rio. You can find a private tour guide when you visite de Rio by going online. You should line up any private tour guide that you are thinking of using before you make your trip so that you are assured of getting in on the tours that they are offering.  The private tour guides can take you all over Rio so that you can see everything that the area has to offer when you visite Rio.

When you visite Rio, be sure to take into account the time that you will want to spend on tours. It is far easier to see everything by using a tour guide when you visite de Rio on your own than if you try to see everything by trying to find it by yourself. You are far better off to use a tour guide when you visite de Rio so that you get to see all that you want to see in a convenient way.