Nina and Thomas lived in Arizona when they first fell in love and had their baby, Vanessa who is now 14 months old. Nina is a stay-at-home mother, and Thomas is an Army helicopter pilot. Thomas travels three to four days a week for work but always makes it home to his family for the weekends. However, two months have passed since Thomas has seen Nina and his daughter because unbeknownst to him, they left the family home while he was away for work and never returned.
Unfortunately, this scenario happens more often than not, and dads find themselves helpless because society assumes that the child is better off with the mother. Nowadays, dads are a growing group and are finally taking a stance with the Courts by fighting for their parental rights and often winning primary custody of their children.
Nina disappeared with Vanessa to her mother’s in California where she is has been hiding in secret to establish residency to file for custody in California. She continues to stay unemployed and is financially reliant on her mother and Thomas.
Most would assume that Nina and Thomas’ relationship was rocky, and Nina left due to some emotional or physical abuse. In this case, neither occurred. Thomas has happily provided for Nina and especially Vanessa for any and everything she needed. Nina left because she wanted her life back and wanted to be in California with her daughter, without the dad in the picture.
Majority of dads assume that winning custody is not attainable due to society’s assumption that the Mother is the best fit. However, dads are proving that their worth is just as valuable as the Mother’s and establishing a safe environment, with an incredible support network, and the ability to manage their professional life with their child(ren)’s rigorous academic schedules can be achieved.
Thomas has been willingly providing Nina with support to live as well as support for their daughter to ensure Vanessa is being taken care of as he loves his daughter endlessly. Nina asserts that Thomas was never there for them and that she was better off without him but demands financial support from Thomas for her and Vanessa.
For the dads going through similar situations or conflicted about whether or not to start a custody order, attempt to work out arrangements with the other parent first. Should that route not be possible, contact your family law attorney to start the proceedings.
Most often than not, dads feel as though because they work, while the mother does not, dads would never have a fighting chance for physical custody. Well, times have changed, and dads are now fighting for their children’s custody rights and are winning.