how do i make things right?

I am looking for advice. My family law case has been handled out of downtown los angeles for the last ten years. In these ten years I have had two attorneys leave me because there is no end to the horror i am living. My ex has a friend who is a family law attorney whom works for him for free. Together they have set out and succeeded in causing me to lose 3 jobs, bankrupt me, and now lose custody of my twelve year old child. This was their goal. I only lost custody because I was not notified of an exparte hearing and therefor due to my absence they asked for full legal and physical custody and got it. I have no money nor time away from work to persue fighting the attorney AND the ruling. I found later the exparte was to ask for reunification counseling because i missed 3 visits in a row with my child...BECAUSE when i went to pick up my child they refused to turn him over KNOWING our local sheriff does not remove children from homes but rather write a report and tell me to resolve the issue in court. So i have pieces of paper that do me no good. That is the problem. I have NO MONEY, NO attorney, and cannot fight this attorney alone. So they do what they want all the time in regards to violating court orders. I have tried in the past but legal terms are spoken that i dont understand, i never get a word in edgewise, and end up with bad results. I believe there is a conflict of interest being this attorney also spends time speaking to my son regarding our family issues, taking him on trips, etc. Also for over 6 years the attorney rented the same office space and shared it with my ex and his wife. I had to appear for a discovery meeting at this attorney office when i asked for a change in child support and i was being asked rediculous questions such as who does my hair in front of my ex and his wife. It was very humiliating and uncomfortable. Now i have NO contact with my child. They shut of his cell phone, cut off his access to email, and do not take my calls. They contacted the school and I am not legally free to even try to visit with my son at his school. I have a two year old daughter in a new marriage who is now cut off from seeing or speaking to her brother. This is rediculous. Why did the judge not call me when i was not present to ask if i was aware there was court hearing? Our courtroom has changed judges so many times this new judge has not even looked through our file to see things where to be a certain way, harassments needed to be stopped etc. So many things are out of control and are going terribly wrong,and i have no control. It has cost me my child, and siblings to lose eachother. It is just not right. I cannot believe criminal and civil courts can appoint attorneys if you cannot afford one or case specialists to stay on top of things, but as i see it family law is where it is needed...it is the most important...it deals with splitting families, seperating siblings, children who need help..and it is the most corrupt court system as i see it. The last i heard from my son he was crying on the telephone pleading for me to come get him and the call ended when his father took the phone away and hung up, which resulted in him losing his cellphone....all because he called his mom, same goes for the emails. I am emailing you....for help. I am sending this to anyone and everyone i can until someone has the heart to help....thank you for you time.

ps...to answer where it all began. i divorded and had 80% custody in 1998. In 2000 my ex remarried a woman who cannot have children and there is where my troubles began. Little by little my ex and his attorney have chipped away my custody to zero across the board so his wife can be a "mom".

Sincerely,

Melissa Awtry

661-600-5660

24220 claremont dr

santa clarita, ca 91350

You do not say how the husband you now have feels about this situation. Is he supporting you? Either way, there is no easy answer for you. You have to decided what you really want, fight for it until you drop, and even then there are no promises as to how it will turn out.

Is there a Guardian ad Litem appointed for your son? I am in another state, and I don't know about California family law. A Gaurdian ad Litem is an independent attorney--not on anyone's side other than what's best for the child--who is appointed by the family-court, judge to look after the child's best interests. If your ex-husband's attorney and the Guardian are the same person, then there is a conflict of interest.

There may be a CASA (Coutrt Appointed Special Advocate) organization in your area. The agency looks into cases of abuse and neglect for the family courts. In you case, I suspect there is at least emotional abuse. CASA may be willing to look into your case. They are trained volunteers and don't charge. They may also have a list of attorneys who are willing to help you and not charge for it.

You are the one who has to go looking for help. You might start with agencies who help low-income individuals with pro-bono attorneys. Call the newpapers, you local family-law offices for direction to the attorney you can afford or who won't charge you, and don't forget your local, district, and state politicians who stand on family values' platforms. Contact them for guidance and advice. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals. Make a sign for the back window of you car stating the name of your ex's attorney and what he is doing to your son. You can never sink too low nor crawl too far to get reunited with your child.

Good luck to you.

Good comments!!