Hi!

My ex has been giving me and my boys grief since the separation (now divorced). I have custody of the boys (have had it for 4½ years, since the start). Since that time, I have received nothing in CS or Childcare costs; annoying enough. In the last 6 months, she tried for alimony with a b**** of a female lawyer - fortunately, she failed in her attempt. Apparantly, the alimony door wasn't closed in the agreement (for which I will be reporting my lawyer).

She was Section 12'd in Feb (without my knowledge) before the 3 Mar judgment which amended visitation and also denied her alimony request. Now - given that visitation was involved, would you agree she should have told me (or her lawyer should have) about the Section 12? Section 12 is when one is "a danger to oneself or others". She was taken from her place of work for this by the police (I have the police log but no other details). Since the beginning of April, she's been ensconsed in a "psychiatric facility". I took out a Restraining order against her, so that when she came out, she couldn't just assume to waltz off on visits with the boys. I also have filed Motions for Suspension of Visitation and Legal Custody pending a Family Service Investigation (I have sole physical, legal is currently joint), as well as for Release of Medical Records.

In addition, I married last year and moved to another county - so, I have also filed for a Change of Venue.

Given that I live in MA ... what are your thoughts?

1. Do you think I will get the Change of Venue (which'd be great, as it'd get her b**** of a lawyer off my back!) given I have custody of the boys?

2. How about Suspension of Visits and Legal Custody? Do you think I'm warranted? (I believe so, as I don't want her psych behaviour affecting the boys)

3. It is a possibility that if she's made a "ward of the state" (ie, she goes completely crazy), they may try and get me to pay alimony - I will refuse, of course, but is there some case law out there that I could use in case that situation arises?

I have my hearing Thu May 22. Also, there's a chance that she's still in hospital - if so:

4. Can I still attend the hearing and appeal for the Change of Venue at least to be agreed? Can her lawyer attempt to make me pay for her appearance to defend her non-apperaing "client"? I don't think so, but she's threatened so before (I was scheduled for May 1, her lawyer couldn't make it [and ex was still in asylum] but I refused to move the date, so her lawyer threatened me with sending another lawyer for a continuance and tabling a Motion for me to pay the bill - I basically laughed and told her that I would never pay her firm a penny, now or in the future).

Complicated, huh? Anyway ...

Thanks!!