Need Family Lawyer! Alienated from my son!
Domestic violence between parents lead to DCFS getting involved with my family back in April 2018. This also lead me into facing criminal charges with potential jail time because of DV history from our past. Scrambling to come up with money to defend the criminal side of this case, my former boss granted me a loan for a down payment and I was able to get on a payment plan to keep myself out of jail.
Domestic Violence Charge > Criminal Lawyer = ($5000)
I LEFT the relationship and moved out of my house; I homeless for almost a week with my son. My boss took me in and allowed me to crash in his spare bedroom until I figured out my next move.
June 2018, I was notified to surrender my child to the department or the police would come take him away. I had no choice to bring my son to DCFS office -- he was taken into custody and thankfully placed with a family member.
July 2018 I secured an apartment with my friends.
Since I was the "aggressor" in this instance, I had a lot to prove to the department. Starting with monitored/supervised visits I gradually moved to unsupervised weekend overnights as I completed my court required classes to be reunified with Enze. I was ordered to do a mental evaluation, therapy, parenting classes as well as domestic violence classes.
(Note: I was placed on a 10 week waiting list after finally finding a psychiatrist that accepted my medical insurance)
Mental Health Evaluation Completed: December 10, 2018
(no medical/mental health diagnosis was determined)
36 week Parenting Class Completed: December 17, 2018 ($180)
52 week Domestic Violence Class Completed: August 12, 2019 ($540)
(Note: Enze had been living with Father since 1/2019)
July 2019, Father files for child support. Due to falsified income reports an order was granted for me to pay $748/month.
July 2019, DCFS recommendation was to to close jurisdiction over our family but still keep Enze a dependent of the court to monitor parents progress with the new transition. The order was for 50/50 physical and legal custody to both parents with a weekly rotating schedule. Both parents have equal rights and equal visitation with Enze. (Note: if this was granted it would elimination child support order)
Dad contested against recommendation which lead us to a mediation hearing the following month.
August 2019, a mediation hearing occurred where I recommended many alternatives to the weekly rotating schedule. 2,2,3 schedule, 3-4 day schedule, etc. Father's only offer was my visits to occur on weekends with flexibility on Friday and Monday nights. (Note: this would mean he would have majority of the time with Enze meaning he would be entitled to child support)
- NO AGREEMENT WAS MADE
10/2/19, the final hearing would be made in children court where the judge had the ultimate ruling and decide the custody an visitation schedule. Just in time, dad presented false catfish accounts of me on prostitute sites claiming that "I host incalls" and Enze is in danger when he is with me. (Note: I have cameras surrounding my apartment and directly in front of my door and can PROVE this to be false)
DCFS terminated my rights and granted father full custody and placed me on monitored visits and closed my case. The condition is dad gets to "approve the monitor" if not I have to pay for one at my own expense.
10/3/19 - denied first recommended monitor. A close friend that has known Enze since he was 3. Clean background check and driving record also works in the mental health field.
10/4/19, Interviews second monitor recommendation. Denies her too. A close friend that has a certificate in positive parenting planning, a mandated reporter with a clean background check and driving record that works for LA County.
I hired a law clerk to prepare my documents for me. ($500)
11/4/19, I filed my first exparte in Pasadena Family Court & it was denied. Deemed not qualified as an emergency order. A hearing was set for December 17th.
At the time, I was working as a claims adjuster. Suffering from separation anxiety and depression I lost my job. I filed for unemployment. Once my claim was cleared, I was backpayed and was able to use that lump sum of money to retain a lawyer.
Family Lawyer with very little experience and limited representation: ($2000)
11/21/19: Father was served in person at school with notice to appear in court.
11/23/19: Father BLOCKED me from iMessage games/communication on IPAD with Enze.
12/17/19: Hearing: Father didn't file a response and claimed "he just found out" also stating he never received the mailed copy. Judge would not look at my video of proof of service or mail receipt. Hearing dismissed.
12/18/19: another RFO was filed. Hearing set for Feb 13 another 45 days out. Proof of service signed by USPS same day.
Inspired by the broken justice system, I enrolled into a paralegal studies program at a local community college. I will have my associates degree and certificate by spring 2021.
1/4/20, My first visit with Enze since October occurred upon his return from RI.
Both parents have to have an intake done. Father refused to pay for is own.
I would not have been able to have a visit without it.
2 hour visit($50/hr) + both parents intake($50/ea) = ($200)
(Note: Enze mentioned to me and the monitor 3 times within a 2 hour visit that he wants to come to my house, he misses taking baths and my cat Luna. However, house visits are not allowed for first time supervised monitors)
1/06/20, - Father restricts calls or facetime without a supervised monitor present on the phone (his own made up terms/conditions not stated in court order)
1/14/20, father denies another recommended monitor. My personal therapist who has a masters degree in social work and specializes in DV who also has a certification as a positive parenting program provider.
Seeming to be upset that I keep trying to make monitor recommendations of people that love and support me; father reinforces that the only monitors he will approve are "professional monitors" ones that I have to hire. (notice a pattern yet???)
1/30/20, another mediation meeting occurred and no agreement was made. (both parents present)
Inbetween time, I visited Enze twice at school during his lunch. (20 minutes!) When dad became aware of this he notified the school of the current order and restricted my visiting the school as well.
2/13/20, hearing date: dismissed out of court for the following reasons:
1. Father did not file response again and states he was just notified via text even though he appeared at the exparte and mediation date
2. Clerical issues with case number due to court clerk
3. Proof of service was not filed timely (Note: we did have a hard copy that judge refused to accept)
2/17/20 - exparte was filed downtown in new court house.
2/24/20 exparte date - denied. not qualified as an emergency order. no hearing date was set.
2/25/20- another RFO filed. Set for 45 calendar days out.
Mediation date April 2nd 2020.
Hearing date April 14th 2020
In summary, I have had just a few hours with Enze within the last 5 months. Father is collecting $112 a week in support. He is enforcing I pay for "professional monitors" that will average $50/hr. I have missed monumental moments in my sons life including birthdays, holidays, school functions, sports events and even him loosing his first tooth! I have not had the privilege of doing his homework with him, reading him a bedtime story or kissing him goodnight! I miss my sons smile, his laugh, his hugs, his love!!! In total, I have spent about $10k for the burdens of my past. I am burned out with no options or resources left!!
I AM IN DESPERATE NEED FOR A POWERFUL, AGGRESSIVE FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME AND PUT AN END TO THIS!! MY SON NEEDS ME. I NEED MY SON. I WANT TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE!!! I LEFT THIS RELATIONSHIP 2 YEARS AGO!! I HAVE BEEN ALIENATED FROM ENZE FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS BECAUSE OF A VERY VINDICTIVE, MANIPULATIVE EX PARTNER WHO WANTS TO MAKE ME SUFFER THROUGH FINANCIAL BURDENS AND TRAUMA SEPARATION. THIS IS CONSIDERED NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER!!! THIS IS PARENT ALIENATION!! IF ANYTHING, SHARE MY STORY TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THESE SUBJECTS!! BE A VOICE FOR ENZE!!!
ANY CONTRIBUTION IS APPRECIATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
WITH LOVE,
MARIAH
Domestic Violence Charge > Criminal Lawyer = ($5000)
I LEFT the relationship and moved out of my house; I homeless for almost a week with my son. My boss took me in and allowed me to crash in his spare bedroom until I figured out my next move.
June 2018, I was notified to surrender my child to the department or the police would come take him away. I had no choice to bring my son to DCFS office -- he was taken into custody and thankfully placed with a family member.
July 2018 I secured an apartment with my friends.
Since I was the "aggressor" in this instance, I had a lot to prove to the department. Starting with monitored/supervised visits I gradually moved to unsupervised weekend overnights as I completed my court required classes to be reunified with Enze. I was ordered to do a mental evaluation, therapy, parenting classes as well as domestic violence classes.
(Note: I was placed on a 10 week waiting list after finally finding a psychiatrist that accepted my medical insurance)
Mental Health Evaluation Completed: December 10, 2018
(no medical/mental health diagnosis was determined)
36 week Parenting Class Completed: December 17, 2018 ($180)
52 week Domestic Violence Class Completed: August 12, 2019 ($540)
(Note: Enze had been living with Father since 1/2019)
July 2019, Father files for child support. Due to falsified income reports an order was granted for me to pay $748/month.
July 2019, DCFS recommendation was to to close jurisdiction over our family but still keep Enze a dependent of the court to monitor parents progress with the new transition. The order was for 50/50 physical and legal custody to both parents with a weekly rotating schedule. Both parents have equal rights and equal visitation with Enze. (Note: if this was granted it would elimination child support order)
Dad contested against recommendation which lead us to a mediation hearing the following month.
August 2019, a mediation hearing occurred where I recommended many alternatives to the weekly rotating schedule. 2,2,3 schedule, 3-4 day schedule, etc. Father's only offer was my visits to occur on weekends with flexibility on Friday and Monday nights. (Note: this would mean he would have majority of the time with Enze meaning he would be entitled to child support)
- NO AGREEMENT WAS MADE
10/2/19, the final hearing would be made in children court where the judge had the ultimate ruling and decide the custody an visitation schedule. Just in time, dad presented false catfish accounts of me on prostitute sites claiming that "I host incalls" and Enze is in danger when he is with me. (Note: I have cameras surrounding my apartment and directly in front of my door and can PROVE this to be false)
DCFS terminated my rights and granted father full custody and placed me on monitored visits and closed my case. The condition is dad gets to "approve the monitor" if not I have to pay for one at my own expense.
10/3/19 - denied first recommended monitor. A close friend that has known Enze since he was 3. Clean background check and driving record also works in the mental health field.
10/4/19, Interviews second monitor recommendation. Denies her too. A close friend that has a certificate in positive parenting planning, a mandated reporter with a clean background check and driving record that works for LA County.
I hired a law clerk to prepare my documents for me. ($500)
11/4/19, I filed my first exparte in Pasadena Family Court & it was denied. Deemed not qualified as an emergency order. A hearing was set for December 17th.
At the time, I was working as a claims adjuster. Suffering from separation anxiety and depression I lost my job. I filed for unemployment. Once my claim was cleared, I was backpayed and was able to use that lump sum of money to retain a lawyer.
Family Lawyer with very little experience and limited representation: ($2000)
11/21/19: Father was served in person at school with notice to appear in court.
11/23/19: Father BLOCKED me from iMessage games/communication on IPAD with Enze.
12/17/19: Hearing: Father didn't file a response and claimed "he just found out" also stating he never received the mailed copy. Judge would not look at my video of proof of service or mail receipt. Hearing dismissed.
12/18/19: another RFO was filed. Hearing set for Feb 13 another 45 days out. Proof of service signed by USPS same day.
Inspired by the broken justice system, I enrolled into a paralegal studies program at a local community college. I will have my associates degree and certificate by spring 2021.
1/4/20, My first visit with Enze since October occurred upon his return from RI.
Both parents have to have an intake done. Father refused to pay for is own.
I would not have been able to have a visit without it.
2 hour visit($50/hr) + both parents intake($50/ea) = ($200)
(Note: Enze mentioned to me and the monitor 3 times within a 2 hour visit that he wants to come to my house, he misses taking baths and my cat Luna. However, house visits are not allowed for first time supervised monitors)
1/06/20, - Father restricts calls or facetime without a supervised monitor present on the phone (his own made up terms/conditions not stated in court order)
1/14/20, father denies another recommended monitor. My personal therapist who has a masters degree in social work and specializes in DV who also has a certification as a positive parenting program provider.
Seeming to be upset that I keep trying to make monitor recommendations of people that love and support me; father reinforces that the only monitors he will approve are "professional monitors" ones that I have to hire. (notice a pattern yet???)
1/30/20, another mediation meeting occurred and no agreement was made. (both parents present)
Inbetween time, I visited Enze twice at school during his lunch. (20 minutes!) When dad became aware of this he notified the school of the current order and restricted my visiting the school as well.
2/13/20, hearing date: dismissed out of court for the following reasons:
1. Father did not file response again and states he was just notified via text even though he appeared at the exparte and mediation date
2. Clerical issues with case number due to court clerk
3. Proof of service was not filed timely (Note: we did have a hard copy that judge refused to accept)
2/17/20 - exparte was filed downtown in new court house.
2/24/20 exparte date - denied. not qualified as an emergency order. no hearing date was set.
2/25/20- another RFO filed. Set for 45 calendar days out.
Mediation date April 2nd 2020.
Hearing date April 14th 2020
In summary, I have had just a few hours with Enze within the last 5 months. Father is collecting $112 a week in support. He is enforcing I pay for "professional monitors" that will average $50/hr. I have missed monumental moments in my sons life including birthdays, holidays, school functions, sports events and even him loosing his first tooth! I have not had the privilege of doing his homework with him, reading him a bedtime story or kissing him goodnight! I miss my sons smile, his laugh, his hugs, his love!!! In total, I have spent about $10k for the burdens of my past. I am burned out with no options or resources left!!
I AM IN DESPERATE NEED FOR A POWERFUL, AGGRESSIVE FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME AND PUT AN END TO THIS!! MY SON NEEDS ME. I NEED MY SON. I WANT TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE!!! I LEFT THIS RELATIONSHIP 2 YEARS AGO!! I HAVE BEEN ALIENATED FROM ENZE FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS BECAUSE OF A VERY VINDICTIVE, MANIPULATIVE EX PARTNER WHO WANTS TO MAKE ME SUFFER THROUGH FINANCIAL BURDENS AND TRAUMA SEPARATION. THIS IS CONSIDERED NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER!!! THIS IS PARENT ALIENATION!! IF ANYTHING, SHARE MY STORY TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THESE SUBJECTS!! BE A VOICE FOR ENZE!!!
ANY CONTRIBUTION IS APPRECIATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
WITH LOVE,
MARIAH
Organizer
Mariah Bellavance
Organizer
Glendale, CA