Family Courts and Juvenile Courts in Connecticut have the authority to order hair follicle testing to determine whether there is a pattern of drug use. I have seen these tests ordered with increasing frequency as the reliability of these tests are now widely accepted.
The standard hair follicle test goes back about 90 days and can show the presence of cocaine, marijuana, opiates, amphetamine and PCP. These tests will not detect the last 1-2 weeks of drug use because the hair has not grown from the scalp. Therefore, if recent drug use is suspected, urinalysis is the way to go.
Judges order substance abuse testing to assess the safety of a child in the care of a particular parent. If the test is dirty, treatment will likely be ordered and visitation either suspended or supervised in the interim.
You need about an inch and half of hair from the scalp. If head hair is not available, a sample of body hair can be used although I am told the results are not nearly as reliable. And if there is no hair – well then no test.
So how about this one?
A Connecticut judge ordered a father to undergo a hair test. And what does he do? Well naturally, he shaves his head and entire body to prevent testing.
It was a purely a coincidence of course.
The judge found him in contempt and denied him visitation.
Please call me at (203) 259-5251 if you have questions about how hair tests are used in the Juvenile and Family Court in Connecticut.
Grandparents in Connecticut may apply to the Family Court to obtain visitation with their grandchild.
For a judge to grant grandparent visitation over a parent’s objection there must be two separate findings:
1. The grandparent must have a relationship with the child that is parent-like; and
2. Denial of the visitation will cause real and significant harm to the child.
If both of these prongs are met, the judge may then order grandparent visitation based on the child’s best interest.
It is often disappointing for grandparents to learn that the child’s best interests are not considered unless the grandparents meet both parts of the test.
Other points:
The application/petition must be “verified.” This means that the information submitted must be attested to under penalty of perjury. Be mindful about any misrepresentations.
In any contested visitation action, the judge will often appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney for the minor child. Grandparent visitation cases are no exception. The grandparent may be held responsible for the payment of these fees.
The judge may also refer the matter to Family Relations for mediation or an evaluation.
Here is a new court form that a grandparent must file to request visitation:
Yes – restraining orders in Connecticut can be extended. In order to do so, the Applicant (the person in need of protection) must file a Motion to Extend before the restraining order expires. But once it lapses, you have to start from scratch and there’s no protection in the interim.
So – do not wait until the last minute to extend the order. The best practice is to file a motion 30 days before the expiration of the old order. This will take into account the time necessary for the Clerk’s Office to assign a date for the extension hearing and allows sufficient time for the Respondent (alleged perpetrator) to be properly served.
Even though a restraining order was previously granted, it is no “slam dunk” that it will be extended. The same procedure used at the initial hearing will be followed. Therefore, a judge must still find that based on the history of violence, threats and other evidence that there is “immediate and present physical danger.”
Formerly, restraining orders would be issued for 6 months. Now a judge may issue a restraining order for up to a year.
I represent clientss throughout Fairfield County including Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.
Contact me online or call my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 or my Stamford office at (203) 356-1475 if you have questions about Connecticut Restraining Orders.
I have heard some people use the terms “shared custody” and “split custody” interchangeably. However, they are very different custodial arrangements.
Shared custody refers to a parenting plan where both parents have equal or at least substantial parenting time with the child(ren). The child(ren) essentially has two homes and spend significant periods at both homes.
Split custody is in arrangement where siblings live in different households. The children are split – hence “split custody”. It does not mean an equal split of parenting time as some use the term. Most judges are reluctant to order split custody. Nonetheless, it does happen on occasion.
Here are few reasons why a judge would order split custody:
1. Informed preferences of a child. One child may have a strong preference and legitimate reasons for living with one parent rather than the other parent. This is far more common with older and mature children.
2. Fighting siblings. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s best for the entire family that siblings not live together. It’s typically more than just not getting along or some form of sibling rivalry. For example, frequent altercations or behavior that’s so disruptive requiring the siblings to reside in separate homes.
3. Relocation. When a parent wishes to move long-distance, one of the children may prefer to stay behind and reside with the other parent while another child relocates. This often occurs in older children where they have strong ties to school, friends and activities in their present community.
Split Custody Attorney
I represent clients with joint custody issues throughout Fairfield County including Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.
If you have questions about Connecticut split custody then please contact me online or call my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 or my Stamford office at (203) 356-1475 to schedule a comprehensive consultation.
Aristotle made several efforts to explain how moral conduct contributes to the good life for human agents, including the Eqikh EudaimonhV and the Magna Moralia, but the most complete surviving statement of his views on morality occurs in the Eqikh Nikomacoi .
Successful people ask better questions.
But on Aristotle’s view, the lives of individual human beings are invariably linked together in a social context. In the Peri PoliV he speculated about the origins of the state, described and assessed the relative merits of various types of government, and listed the obligations of the individual citizen.
Luctus fermentum commodo
Working from home meant we could vary snack and coffee breaks, change our desks or view, goof off, drink on the job, even spend the day in pajamas, and often meet to gossip or share ideas. On the other hand, we bossed ourselves around, set impossible goals, and demanded longer hours than office jobs usually entail. It was the ultimate “flextime,” in that it depended on how flexible we felt each day, given deadlines, distractions, and workaholic crescendos.
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I really should say the father was awarded sole custody. Winning is for games. Child custody cases shouldn’t be games.
Anyway…
A recent Connecticut divorce case highlights the trend that an increasing number of father’s are being awarded sole or, as some say, full custody of their children.
In this case, the judge found that the father consistently met the physical, educational, medical and emotional needs of his 3 and 5 year old children.
The father cited the mother’s chronic medical condition as a factor as to why he should have sole custody. He also argued that the mother failed to make appropriate parenting decisions.
Family Relations performed a Study, which concluded that the father should have sole custody. (A favorable Family Relations Study is a significant advantage since most judges place great weight on the recommendations in these Studies).
Another factor in the judge’s decision appeared to be that the mother failed to complete the Parenting Education course. (Not taking a mandatory parenting course will naturally be held against the non-compliant parent – especially at trial).
The effect of sole custody is that the father will be allowed to make unilateral decisions affecting the children without the approval of the mother. It does not mean that the mother is “cut out” from the children’s lives as some think the term means.
In fact, the judge ordered visitation for the mother on Fridays and Saturdays.