15 years of "Family" Court - settled and over! / The Advent of real change!

jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org

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Good People & People of Faith,

This message has info:

1. $125,000 in arrears and 15 years of Court - Finally settled!
2. Getting better organized - the Advent of Reform?

1. $125,000 in arrears and 15 years of Court - Finally settled!
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Like many of you I'd been caught in a 'child support' mess for over
15 years.  Lost my license, ability to work, and have had to walk
for the past three years while living in rural community.

I wanted to share some happy news of a dignified resolution to a mess
that even I was beginning to think would never be resolved...  I hope
sharing the details will help some of you.

I still can't believe it happened, after 15 years of struggle, finally
over! Support 'account' closed, license restored, back to a normal
life!  No more Family Court orders! Dom (18 yrs old) is in college and
all my assistance is 'voluntary', nothing forced by a Court.  You can
read a 'sterilized' settlement agreement here.
http://www.akidsright.org/support/settle_annon1.pdf

This was reviewed by a couple of lawyers (including a Harvard Law grad
who practices Family Law in NY), even though no attorneys appeared in
Court. With "much" reluctance, it was accepted by the Court.  A very
important statement (at least in New York) is that you both understand
your legal responsibility to support your child to age 21.  Having the
child concur with the arrangement is also important.

This was the final order issued, it did the job, and cleared the
support account.
http://www.akidsright.org/support/Settle_order_anon.pdf

The only people that benefited from my denigration as a parent were in
the legal system.  If they had valued me as a parent, instead of just
as a 'cash machine' -- my son would have a lot more of both....

2. Getting better organized - the Advent of Reform?
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The 'Occupy' protesters have amazed me.  People with 'unclear' goals
and not a lot in common actually taking public action -- and even
willing to risk arrest for what they believe.  Will they have
staying power?

What does that say about us as parents?  I firmly believe rapid reform
is within our grasp.  But we need to make our actions agree with the
'high sounding' words we use.  There is a great strength in
numbers. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm

We need a very clear positive goal:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights
(Your signatures welcome!)

AND a three-tier action system:

1) Parents willing to be arrested/jailed in peaceful actions.

2) Parents willing to make the financial contributions necessary to
support 'paying the bills' for those folks while they are in jail.

3) Parents knowledgeable and ready to speak with legislators and the
media to help spread the message of Family Rights.

Our new guest editor, Alex Haas (me@alexanderhaas.org) has done
a lot of work in setting up a Facebook Page,

http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Kids-Right/264012466978880

Both he and I welcome your help, contact him with your ideas and if
you are ready to participate in forming a solid organization.

I've been struggling with survival for the past few years, and still
have a few months more of work till my head is 'above water'.  I hope
to become active in planning more NonViolent Action early next year
and I'll be ready to participate in such action by August.

Thankful!
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As I've said many times before, Dom and I were very fortunate to
survive the system. Many of you have not been so lucky and I regret
hearing new stories every day.

Alex has begun his struggle to be an equal parent to his young
children.  I just can't even imagine having to go through it again.
The worst part of it all, the uncertainty -- will my child still know
me & love me when they turn 18?

Let's change things!

-- 

                                      John Murtari
_______________________________________________________________
Coordinator                            AKidsRight.Org
jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org         A Kid's Right to BOTH parents"
(315) 944-0999(x-211)             http://www.AKidsRight.Org/

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