Parental Custody Memos Parental Custody

Parental Custody Memos Parental Custody XXX CIRCUIT COURT Civil Action No. XXX IN RE the MARRIAGE of SALLY BRIGHT PETITIONER JOHN BRIGHT RESPONDENT Comes Sally Bright, by counsel, and for her Memorandum states as follows: FACTS Sally Bright filed for divorce from John Bright and was granted temporary custody of their daughter, Chastity. John petitioned for joint custody and was granted visitation rights every weekend. John Bright has been physically abusive to Sally on several occasions.

Although he has never attacked Sally in front of Chastity, there is always the possibility of this happening if he cannot control his abusive nature. Chastity is uncomfortable with the fact that her father now says he is gay and has testified that she feels weird around her father's companion. John's companion does not live with him, but someday might.

GIVEN THAT JOHN BRIGHT WAS PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE to SALLY BRIGHT and ALSO, (ACCORDING to SALLY) HAS a DRINKING PROBLEM, HE WOULD NOT BE the BEST CHOICE for CUSTODY BECAUSE HE MAY DO HARM to HIS DAUGHTER. The most important factor in this case is the welfare of the child. The court needs to decide which household would be the most stable for Chastity. Although Chastity is more concerned with making new friends and does not want to leave her old friends behind, this is not the main issue.

Given that John has physically abused Sally on several occasions during their marriage could point to his lack of anger management. Because of this, Sally has a legitimate right to be concerned about her daughter's safety. And although John denies the accusation by Sally that he drinks heavily, Simons and Meyer (1986) state that in cases such as this, "consultation or referral to an alcoholism expert for an opinion may be in order" (p. 143).

Since John disputes the allegation that he is an alcoholic, he should not have a problem being referred to a specialist who will assess the situation and report the outcomes. III. CONCLUSION Awarding custody to Sally Bright is in the best interest of the child. Sally has provided a stable home for the child and will continue to do so. Also, there has been no negative information presented to the court regarding Sally Bright as there has been with John Bright. Sally Bright is the best choice in this matter.

XXX CIRCUIT COURT Civil Action No. XXX IN RE the MARRIAGE of JOHN BRIGHT PETITIONER MEMORANDUM SALLY BRIGHT RESPONDENT Comes John Bright, by counsel, and for him Memorandum states as follows: I. FACTS Sally Bright has accepted a job offer that will mean moving out of town. The job pays $35,000 per year, which is considerably less John Bright's salary of $125,000 per year.

Chastity Bright has stated that she wants to remain in her current city and live with her father because she does not wish to be separated from her friends at school. She does not want to go to a new school and make new friends. II. SALLY BRIGHT IS UPROOTING CHASTITY BRIGHT FROM a STABLE ENVIRONMENT WHERE SHE FEELS COMFORTABLE. FURTHERMORE, SHE WILL NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY in HER NEW POSITION to PROPERLY SUPPORT THEIR DAUGHTER. John Bright does not question Sally Bright's parenting skills.

What he questions is whether or not she is doing serious emotional damage to their daughter, Chastity by uprooting her from surroundings she has become familiar with. He also worries that Sally will not be able to fully provide for their teenage daughter given the salary of $35,000 that she will make at her new job.

If Chastity remains with him (as she has expressed a desire to do so), he can more than adequately provide for his daughter and ensure that she remains in the stable environment she is used to. John Bright feels that this divorce has been difficult for his daughter and he does not wish to make her life any more stressful. He understands that there is some concern over his newly declared gay lifestyle. He also knows that Chastity is uncomfortable being around him and his partner.

He fully understands that it will take some.