4 thoughts on “Tennessee Family Court”

1. I’m a mom of a 2 year old and 3 year old toddler. I had to petition the court for support and after numerous attempts to make him pay he never complied. In return he filed for visitation, I made the courts aware of his drug habits and lack of stability and I was told I had no choice in the matter I’m still obligated to turn my kids over to him. Regardless of their well-being,the system sucks and they are not looking out for the best interest of the kids.

2. I am also a mother in Tennessee with two children that has also suffered at the hands of the family court. My kids are 9 years apart. In 2011 McNairy county court gave custody of my 7 yr old at the time daughter to her father which was a drug dealer. He is actually in prison for that currently. My second husband was given custody of my 7 yr old at the time son, he is now 9. There are multiple forms of domestic violence and I’m assuming I don’t have to state them here. My son’s father did all of them to us for within the 10 year marriage to him. What finally ended the marriage was the physical abuse he perpetrated on my son and the sexual abuse he perpetrated on my daughter. We later found out my son was also sexually abused in a situation where his father allowed it to happen. We had a no contact protection order for one year which he violated and was not held accountable for. Once our divorce was final a year later, McNairy county court took everything from me and my children and gave everything to my ex. My ex even got custody of my son. McNairy court court ordered me to live in a shelter if I wanted to see my son. All of our abuse was substantiated by the state. But apparently McNairy County Court is above that? I am finally able to see my son after almost a year later. That’s only because my son lives with my ex’s parents. My ex doesn’t even want my son. And my son doesn’t even want to stay with him because he his scared of him. My ex has also allowed his adult son from a previous marriage move in and allows him to physically abuse our son. My ex has McNairy County thinking that me and both my children are liars and we are just trash. I have a BSW and my career has been ruined by him and Van The McNairy County Court judge has helped him do it. So not only are my children and I abused by my ex the court still aids in that abuse. Me and my children were homeless and helpless as a result. And it sickens me that nothing is ever done about this. Like, what is being done about it? Besides writing articles, and talking about it, what is intentionally being done?

3. I too am a mother in Tennessee that met with failure in family court and appellate court. I was never married to father of my son and he was diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder- recommended supervised visitation- expert testified. He has lengthy arrest record for assault and took my son without my permission with loaded firearm in the truck beside him- with witnesses that testified against him. He was verbally abusive to me, physically abusive to child and pets., again with witness testimony and pictures. I own my own home and child had great life, but wanted nothing to do with father. He was only 4. Judge denied protective order, awarded 50/50 shared custody, made father Primary Residential Parent. Appeals court upheld ruling, saying fathers relationship best served by decision and judge not obligated to consider all best interest factors. I never denied visitation, never broke a court order- just insisted on supervised contact. Yet court stated he was parent most likely to “facilitate a relationship”.

4. 3 years ago I left a diagnosed bi polar man who had emotionally and verbally abused myself and the children for years. I was the primary caregiver in my sons life. He even called his dad by his first name. He was scared of his father. I moved to California and found a jobb teaching Kindergarden. My ex’s dad worked for the city and knew lots of people. Anyways something went wrong at court. I have never smoked or drank. I am an honest woman who loves her children more then anything. My ex said he would get custody and there was nothing I could do about it. I told the courts about the abuse and how my ex could not keep a job and lived with his parents. Not only did the courts not look in to the abuse the judge actually apologized to my ex and once again I felt the shame of abuse. The judge ordered my son back to my ex. The medical records of my ex were never shown to the judge by my lawyer. There is something very wrong about this story. I want this to be made public. I am going back to court. My ex is refusing my son much needed medical care. and I went as long as 5 months before not knowing where my son was living. I havent had a return call in months and only sometimes do I get to talk to him. His brothers miss him. He is living in a dirty unclean enviornment where he is made to pick up dog poop and he says the dogs poop in his room. It is really bad. This seems to be happening a lot. Why? How can I win in court and protect my son this time? Why are these courts failing to protect our children?