FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

legal route is absolutely your best option here, dale

even though i went through a divorce myself, we were able to keep things amicable enough to never involve any lawyers, but i definitely think your situation does warrant such involvement

i really hope you're able to get things resolved quickly, so you can see your son more often

Any chance you pointing out the fact that her craziness is going to cost you both a lot of money (of which you appear to have more than her) would have some effect on her willingness to talk it out like adults?

tentoze, thanks man.

can you ellaborate on this? as in, on the forms i need to fill out to file this, should i not go into WHY i want to go through with this (like, because she's insane), and only focus on the fact that i want to see my son on a regular basis?

that means a lot Todd. thank you.

That's rough stuff, Dale. Good luck with everything. I couldn't imagine having my daughter withheld from me.

i'm going to continue to try a few more times, but man, she's just lost her mind about this whole thing, and at this point, she just wants to hurt me, and she knows the best way is through my son.

also guys, a bit more history, i've been paying child support for him for 3 years ever since she moved back up to orlando. since then, i've had to travel there every month just so i can see him. he's only been down here in fort lauderdale maybe a dozen or so times to see me and his my father. i tried to make the relationship work the best i could for his sake, but it just grew more and more toxic. so after all of these years driving/flying up there to spend time with him (costly as fuck, but he's worth every penny), i would think she'd budge just even a little bit on this. but nope.

another big reason you need to lawyer up. you have rights as a parent, and it sounds like they need to be enforced in a court of law.

Make sure you save copies of all the checks you send for child support.

My advice based on a recent garnishment issue I've been working with someone on.

i'm sure you'll find someone with nice tits.

Sorry D that all sounds horrible. You've expressed quite often on what Seb means to you here. Your situation, not being married, plays differently than what a couple of my friends have gone through, but I strongly agree with lawyering up or at least speak to one about the situation for guidance. I hope it works out for you fairly.

No, all you want is a judgment from the court clearly defining the rights and responsibilities of each of you. The reason why you are initiating it is because the two of you no longer have a relationship, the break between you is permanent, and based on the interaction to date relative to the minor child, you feel a judgment is absolutely necessary in order for you to maintain contact with your son.

The details of the shit up until now are essentially irrelevant. She could have been fucking donkeys on stage in Tijuana 3 shows a day, and the court will look on you as disfavorably as it will her. I KNOW from experience.

Once a judgment has been entered, document every instance of her violating the terms of it, and if the instances stack up, or if a single instance is too outrageous to let pass, go back to court with evidence. And NEVER be alone with her. When you exchange your son, have someone with you every time. Phone calls, put it on speaker and let her know "X" or "Y" is with you in order to doccument the conversation.

It's ugly business, I know, but use only the tools that demonstrate your concern is for your son, not any motivation or desire for payback or retribution of any kind. You have to be the grown up.

Dale,

My wife works at a law office and she stated:

Get a lawyer and work on a parenting plan.

Keep track of conversations, keep screen prints of facebook rants, document anything you can (i.e. attempts to call/see your son, bizarre behavior, etc). Don't mention her at all on any social media sites.

The sooner you go to an attorney the better because it shows that you're making an effort to see your son. If you don't currently have a plan then it's going to be really hard to prove you've been trying to see your son. (Your word versus hers).

Nothing to say, D. We're expecting right now, and I can't even fathom what this experience would feel like. Hugs and stuff.

Can you DM me your travel agent's contact info?

I chuckled.

Yikes.

Dale, is this the Greek chick? I can call her up and curse her out in Greek if you'd like. She's a σκύλα.

I'm familiar with this kind of behavior, albeit more of the controlling/manipulative side than losing temper side. My bro got a Sheriff involved once. That was enough to shut her and her new husband up for about two weeks.

Nothing much to add here except 1) I'm sorry you have to deal with this. No matter who you are, if you have the kid's best interest at heart you deserve the chance to be a part of his life. Like someone else said earlier, you can tell from the way you interact online that you love/live for your kid. Good Luck.
2) I will re-iterate the get a lawyer thing, but I'll go you one further - do a lot of research and have a clear idea of what you're after before hiring anyone. By that I mean from the sounds of your situation you're going to need to be prepared to sue for full custody and the right to leave the state with the kid just to get to where you can see him. Think through things like this before making a hire. Do you want/need a bulldog who is going to milk her dry (and you, in the process) and can you outspend her, etc? Then, get recommendations for who the best lawyers are in town. Ask them about similar cases. Define the way you expect to interact with them and their billing processes....it is legal to bill for more than 24 hrs in a day if you do it right.
3) Last piece of advice: Good Lawyers Know The Law, Great Lawyers Know The Judge. See if any of the firms or attorneys you're interviewing have an ex-Family Court Judge on their staff. See who gives money to the local judges (you may have to know how to look for this, or you may know someone who knows). See who graduated from UF with the judge and was on the law review staff at the same time. See who's kids go to school with the judge's kids, etc....this is much easier in a small town like the one I live in, and "it has nothing to do with the facts of the case" except when your lawyer can have a scotch with the judge out at The Breakers and explain "this lady is no good, and my client is a man trying to do what's right by his son." See what I did there?

My other advice is stop going to all these goddamn death metal festivals/renaissance faires

took it from an A- to an A+

hey guys, seriously, THANK YOU for the advice. can't tell you how much i appreciate it.

Dave, i've got a friend working on a few lawyers for me. i've filled out all of the paperwork needed so far, now just waiting to find the right lawyer.

rodney, it's in my blood. i CAN'T stop.