questions & answers

Question: In a child custody case, I lost my children to my ex. My children & I suffered alot of abuse at his hands. Now he has the children & lives in another city & jurisdiction in Arizona. The info and dr. reports I took in were not even looked at by the judge. Seemed her mind was made up early on. Can I request a new emergency hearing and also request a change in judge as I am told the abuse on the children has started again and I don't know what to do to protect my children.

Answer: It is unclear the status that you have with your children. Were you allowed parenting time in your custody agreement or were your rights severed? A person who still has rights to their kids, and did not have their rights severed, may do a modification of a current custody order if it has been over a year or there has been a significant change in circumstances. If children are in danger parents may file for emergency also known as temporary parenting time until a judge can review the case and see what is in the best interest of the child. Forms for both modification and temporary parenting time are located at your local law library or court self service center. Here is a link to Maricopa's self service center: https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/family-court-forms/.