Judgement Day - Priority Consultation

Earlier this week I attended my 2nd session with the Priority Consultant at Family Court Services.  The Priority Consultant spends time talking with both parents, talks with other professionals, then makes a recommendation to the Court regarding the issues presented to the Priority Consultant.  A Priority Consultation is a limited scope process that generally becomes the Courts Order.  As I have been told by many attorney's and experienced in my own case, a Judge is unlikely to deviate too far from the Priority Consultant's recommendations.  In my own case, I was successful in defending the oppositions attempts to limit my son's time with his other family to just 10 hours per week, versus the 18 hours he has now.

So why do I call this Judgement Day???  The Priority Consultation process allows the PC approximately 4 hours to complete their task  Many attorney's have also told me that I mustn't talk badly about the mother because that will reflect negatively on me.  So, if you have concerns about the mother and their desire to prevent you from having an equal role in your child's life, how do you present this without appearing to be badmouthing the mother.  Have you ever walked on Eggshells ... this is more like walking on cracked Eggshells!!!  If you have a genuine safety concern that must be brought to the attention of the PC, it must be done in a way that does not appear to be badmouthing.  One missed word and you may negate the entire concern.

This week I spent 45 minutes with the PC.  The mother spent 75 minutes.  In my first PC session, the PC recommended that a child development expert work with us, primarily me because she felt I needed child development education.  I have spent more than 20 hours with this child development expert, who has gotten to know me as a person and as a parent, and has also spent time with my son and I, witnessing the bond and attachment he has for his other family members.  I was informed that the child development expert spoke with the PC "briefly."  So the PC spent 45 minutes with me, spoke with the child development expert "briefly," and has never met my son ... yet they are making determinations about what is best for my son.  How is this possible and how is this in the "Best Interest of the Child?" 

Judgement Day!!!!