Texas Military Mom
by Milgrl3
(WF, Texas)
I am military and stationed and a resident of Texas. I have 2 children with my ex-husband who lives in Indiana. I am the non-custodial parent. I wanted divorce while I was stationed in Korea while he had the kids in Indiana. He filed for divorce (in IN) the day after I returned to get my kids in Indiana to take them with me to Texas. We agreed on no child support and we would have joint custody. Since I am military, he would have primary custody in case I deployed. In June of '08 my kids came to Texas to live with me and did not return to their dad until June of '09. In August of '09 he filed for custody and I counter sued for full custody.
My ex-husband has had 2 DUIs and no high school diploma or GED. The Indiana court system awarded him with full custody and over 1100 dollars a month in child support! I would like to take him back to court and try again, but now that I am paying so much in child support, I had to get a second job. Since Indiana now has jurisdiction, I cannot take him to court in Texas.
I have now re-married and my new husband has a son from another marriage that he has full custody of. My Stepson's mother does not pay a penny of child support for her son so we are forced to live poor. Even though I make a comfortable living in the military, and should have plenty of money, I can't afford to even put gas in my car!
On paper, I make too much to get government aid to get food stamps, so because of my ex-husband, we live life as poor people.
There is nothing wrong with me except for the fact that I made a bad decision to trust my ex-husband with the promise that he would never file for child support or custody. I have a diploma, 2 college degrees, in the military for almost 13 years, and never been arrested for anything. We live in a gated community, and each child has their own bedroom and a fenced in backyard.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem paying for my children because I love them and they are my responsibility. But when my ex-husband gets a second DUI in less than 4 years not even a month after getting the first check, I think I know where that money is going to.
I wish that there was a waiver for jurisdiction for military since IN is not my home of record, TX is. My oldest son was born in the same town I am living in now, and my youngest was born in NC (where I was born). So neither one of my kids are originally from IN. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place and have no where to turn.
I pray that when my ex-husband has his sentancing hearing for his second DUI, that they will give him the maximum time in prison. (1 year) In Indiana, a 2nd DUI in less than 5 years is a Felony! If he goes to jail for that long, I can file for jurisdiction down here and I know I will win, because Texas is not a corrupt state like Indiana is. They will see that I am a responsible, fit parent who loves her children and wants what is best for them.
