Leving Legal Team Helps Father Gain Custody

CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "The police are at school to take my children," the father of three boys—ages 8, 12 and 17—told his attorney, Laura Inns of the Leving legal team, on a recent October Monday night. The father spoke rapidly in a thick Spanish accent as he sped toward downtown Chicago. He was terrified. He was panicked. And he was afraid that his ex-girlfriend of more than 20 years and the mother of his children had figured out a way to take them from him forever.

The mother had been acting unstable since she left him on a previous occasion, and when he arrived home then, he discovered the mother and children were gone. A week later, the mother responded to his calls and let him see the children. He learned they were living in a basement with their mother and her new boyfriend. In August, the younger boys were returned to the father. The mother was unable to care for them. Her new boyfriend beat her. In September, the mother slit her wrists in a suicide attempt. When the mother told the father she planned to hang herself, he convinced her to be hospitalized for mental health treatment. She said she would be back for the younger children. Within two weeks of being released from treatment, the mother was back with her boyfriend.

The father initially consulted attorney James M. Hagler with the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd., and retained the firm. He needed to protect his children from their allegedly mentally-ill mother. The children needed to stay together in their consistent and stable home. The father knew that if the mother learned he intended to keep the children, she would take them and flee.

Attorney Hagler immediately drafted an emergency petition asking for the court to keep the children with the father while the mother was served with court documents. Attorney Laura Inns appeared in court with the father and won an order giving him immediate possession of the children, all parenting time with them, and all decision-making. The mother had no right to see the children, speak to the children, or make decisions about the children. The father gave copies of the court order to the children's schools and childcare center.

The very next day, the mother went to the childcare center to take the two younger children. The center gave the mother a copy of the order and did not let her see them. Following that, the mother reportedly ambushed the children as they left for school and told them she would get them back. The next day, it was claimed that she stalked the children again, waiting for them to leave for school. The children left through the backdoor. Not seeing them, she then went to their school. This mother would not relent.

That October Monday night, Inns could hear the fear in the father's voice. The center notified him that the mother was there with police to take the children. He was in the distant northwest suburbs. He could not protect his children, but Inns could. Inns immediately contacted the center and coordinated with the police to block the mother from the children.

Relieved, the father wanted to get to his children right away. He was afraid of what could happen next. The mother was likely willing to lie to police to get what she wanted.

The next morning, Inns triumphed by obtaining an emergency order of protection protecting the three boys. The children are now safe with their father.

Laura Inns is always ready for emergencies to safeguard her clients and their children. Her job is protecting children.

About the Leving legal team
Its founder, attorney Jeffery M. Leving, is nationally known as one of the foremost family law lawyers in the country. He is the creator of the concept of Fathers' Rights. Leving's many professional achievements and accomplishments have been recognized by government leaders (including the last three US Presidents and the Illinois House of Representatives), private industry, his peers, and social service and other non-profit agencies. Attorney Leving has dedicated more than 30 years to strengthening families. Leving's latest book, How to be a Good Divorced Dad, received praise from President Barack Obama, and was endorsed by Cardinal Francis George.

Ctc: Jennifer Whiteside
Cell: 312.296.3666

SOURCE Law Offices of Jeffery Leving, Ltd.