Would it be wise to switch attorney's? We hired our attorney in July 05 (when the kids went to visit their mother out of the country). We paid the fees before Hurricane Katrina struck the area. The petition was not filed until the end of November. The only thing we have done was to visit a hearing officer (mediator). When the petition was filed, I was given a court date for us to appear in front of a judge. For some reason, we no longer have that court date. The mother showed up to meet with the mediator because she thought that she could just show up and be awarded the kids, but she has since left the country.

Before the papers were filed, I wanted to file them in the parish where we live. The attorney wanted to file them where he did most of his work. That has been of no help to us. I spoke with another attorney who practices in our area. The courts where we live are not crowded, and it is possible that we can be before a judge in 30 days.

I am thinking about the kids. Right now, these American children are stuck in a third world country. It is not their fault, but it is our responsibility to do what is best for them. Having them returned to America is best for them.

Isn't it true that the longer she keeps the kids outside of the country to become their primary caregiver, the better her chances are of getting custody? Prior to that, she had no contact with the kids.

Would it be wise to switch attorney's? We hired our attorney in July 05 (when the kids went to visit their mother out of the country). We paid the fees before Hurricane Katrina struck the area. The petition was not filed until the end of November. The only thing we have done was to visit a hearing officer (mediator). When the petition was filed, I was given a court date for us to appear in front of a judge. For some reason, we no longer have that court date. The mother showed up to meet with the mediator because she thought that she could just show up and be awarded the kids, but she has since left the country.

Before the papers were filed, I wanted to file them in the parish where we live. The attorney wanted to file them where he did most of his work. That has been of no help to us. I spoke with another attorney who practices in our area. The courts where we live are not crowded, and it is possible that we can be before a judge in 30 days.

I am thinking about the kids. Right now, these American children are stuck in a third world country. It is not their fault, but it is our responsibility to do what is best for them. Having them returned to America is best for them.

Isn't it true that the longer she keeps the kids outside of the country to become their primary caregiver, the better her chances are of getting custody? Prior to that, she had no contact with the kids.
Since papers have already been filed, you will probably need to get an attorney in your area to do a change of venue motion.

Without knowing all the facts, it's hard to say if her chances are getting better, but in case they are, you should do something to get it into court ASAP.
Xena :)