Recent Feedback
Mom got the girls last year. They are now 9 and 12. She took them to Florida and moved to an expensive neighborhood to find a good school, although not the equal of the campus lab school they had left in Wyoming. The child support is bankrupting me at this time, yet it is not enough for her to make ends meet. The girls want to come back. I understand the custody decision can be revised in Wyoming. The elder daughter was getting special ed for her learning disability, but Florida ruled that she is merely average, so no more special ed. What options come to your mind?
Optional Information: State/Country of Question: Wyoming Already Tried: Nothing. They were here for the summer. They will probably be back next summer, which would be the right time and circumstances to do something. This is where custody and divorce was decided, and I have heard of a similar case where the child asked to live with dad, but he was in his late teens and justified his request on account of better prospects for an education, that's all. No child abuse, etc.
DearCustomer- Well the obvious option is to file a motion for a change of custody, especially if the jurisdiction is still in WY. Child support is set by guidelines so getting that reduced is nearly impossible unless there has been a significant change in incomes of the parents.
The court would probably listen to the wishes of the 12 year old but not the nine year old. In any event, the only way to get them back is either by agreement with the mother or through the courts. Even if Mom agrees it would have to submitted to the court for approval and for a termination or change of support obligation.
There are really no other legal alternatives I know of.
Dave Kennett
Experience: 25 years experience in general law, including real estate, criminal, traffic, and domestic relations