rebelangel Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Hi, I was asked to write a letter of support for a friend. She is going through a custody battle for her 2 kids. The father took them 7 months ago and hasn't given them back. Anyway, I'm the fathers next door neighbour, and she asked me to write a letter about certain incidents that have been witnessed outside of his home. Would this be a good idea? I've been searching online, and any letters of support are positive, and are supposed to reflect the good traits of a person. Not the bad traits of the other parent? I'm wondering if this might harm her case and make her look bad instead of good? Any help would be awesome! Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Author rebelangel Posted June 19, 2014 Author Share Posted June 19, 2014 Advice... it's a shame i can't edit the title of the thread lol Link to post Share on other sites
GorillaTheater Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 (edited) I don't do family law, but the same principals apply as in any other situation: tell the truth. You were asked to comment on a couple of situations, but do you feel untruthful by not addressing other situations, or the situation as a whole? Go with that instinct. It may turn out that your friend won't find your letter as helpful as she had hoped, but you have to live with yourself, not her. And of course, nothing says you have to write this letter in the first place. There's no legal obligation to do it. Edited June 19, 2014 by a LoveShack.org Moderator Merge 1 Link to post Share on other sites
William Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Advice... it's a shame i can't edit the title of the thread lol For future reference, you can edit the title when in advanced edit mode before anyone else has replied and for, generally, 2-3 hours after original submission. Alternatively, you can use the 'alert us' button and request moderation edit the title. Also, be aware that our software removes certain words from titles, and 'advice' is one of them. Moderation has appropriately titled your thread. Welcome to our forums and please continue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author rebelangel Posted June 19, 2014 Author Share Posted June 19, 2014 I don't do family law, but the same principals apply as in any other situation: tell the truth. You were asked to comment on a couple of situations, but do you feel untruthful by not addressing other situations, or the situation as a whole? Go with that instinct. It may turn out that your friend won't find your letter as helpful as she had hoped, but you have to live with yourself, not her. And of course, nothing says you have to write this letter in the first place. There's no legal obligation to do it. No it would be truthful. And to be honest, i hate this guy. He is a terrible person. I can't even quite call this woman a friend. More like a mutual friend. I just feel for the kids you know? But i'm wondering if saying things (truthful) about him that would incriminate him, instead of shining light on how good of a parent she is would be in her best interests. Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Just write about what you saw. Don't put any preferences for or against anybody in the letter. Let the judge figure that out. Dear Judge: I am the next door neighbor of [the father]. I understand you will be deciding custody of [the kids]. I write this letter to give you the benefit of my observations. On [date] I saw . . . . On [another date] I heard . . . etc. Sincerely, rebelangel I'm not sure why this is being presented to the court via letter as opposed to affidavit but whatever . . . Good luck. As Gorilla Theater pointed out, you don't have to write this letter. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GorillaTheater Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 I'm not sure why this is being presented to the court via letter as opposed to affidavit but whatever . . . It must be a quirk of family court, and likely dependent on jurisdiction, because I've heard of it before in custody matters. I can't think of any other arena where an unattested letter would be of much value, though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author rebelangel Posted June 19, 2014 Author Share Posted June 19, 2014 (edited) I feel as though i must. What this guy is doing is really harmful to the kids. On many occasions, and with many other witnesses I have smelled a super strong odour of pot coming from an open window in the house. I didn't know he had kids in there until after my friend told me he took them from her. The kids are never playing in the yard. He's had them for 7 months and i haven't seen them out playing once! I've had run in's with this guy. He's scary. He's covered my car in snow a few times shovelling off his roof. A complete A hole. Problem is, i don't have certain dates as to when I've smelled the pot... it's like 4 days a week kinda thing. Except for the past 2 weeks, he must be getting paranoid because of the court date... who knows? and it is just a letter of support that i'm writing, i haven't spoken to any lawyers, or even the mother about it. She asked my friend to ask me to write it. Edited June 19, 2014 by rebelangel Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts