Civic Engagement

Both parents should be in their childrens lives! My son has been stripped of all of his rights as a father and had everything taken from him, by an ex girkfriend he had two children with.

Children need both Parents. I am a father who is currently trying to change from the as-issued, cookie cutter, every other weekend, one night a week situation to a more equitable, shared arrangement. I can attest to the stress and difficulty that attempting this change with today's laws and courts places on the children. Kids need both parents. A shared legal AND PHYSICAL custody should be the default arrangement in all cases and only modified under extenuating circumstances.

Studies show joint custody is what children prefer, and it causes couples with conflict to get along. Equal parenting is the best solution to fatherlessness.

Shared parenting will reduce the power struggle that families become overcome/overwhelmed with and allow children to be out of the middle of damaging desputes! PLEASE act quickly and support positive behaviors and healthy living for all kinds of families!

Every one of our pressing social problems, whether it is teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, suicide, school dropout, low self esteem or any other of the problems on which we spend billions for band-aid solutions, is causally linked to father absence in study after study with a unanimity seldom matched in social science research. We need to do everything we can to "bring back the fathers" aqnd reduce the number of children who need band-aids.

The court system in Massachusettes is horribly biased in favor of the mother and has disdain for men. Children don't care about politics, they just want to be with, and spend time with both parents. No one parent should have the right to make all decisions for a child. My ex was allowed to leave the state because she met someone online (I raised my stepson, adopted two boys and have a biological daughter), couldn't get my child support reduced so I could see them more than 3 times a year and the 14 1/2 year old wasn't allowed to say that he wanted to stay with me.

Children need equal time with BOTH parents.The longer one parent is kept away from the children the issue of "Parental Alienation Syndrome" comes into play especailly when their is dissention between divorcing parents.Parents need to start acting like ADULTS and make sure that MOM and DAD show nothing but love and affection for them! I miss my kids and love them! I believe I should be able to see them as often as their mom does and to attend games,school functions,etc. One weekend a month and an occassionally phone call doesnt cut it.Kids need their Dad just as much as their mom.

children need BOTH loving and fit parents to be a part of thier lives in equal time children of divroce are already suffering enough and a custodial parent who chooses to alienate the other parent is just emotionally abusing the children and this is the parent the judge gave custudy to something needs to be done immediately

My wife has full physical custody of my child and my daughter does not want to live where she is. My daughter is 12 years old. I would love with all my heart to have her live in the same town and be able to have joint physical and legal custody of her. She should have both parents in her life equally. My ex does not inform me until the very last minute about her special school things so because of work I can not make it. My daughter loves me but my ex is trying to pull us apart.

I am in favor of shared parenting. I believe that children need both fathers and mothers.

I very much support Shared Parenting. My divorce is not yet final, but the mother and I agree on Shared Custody for our children. I fear a judge may deny our request if this bill isn't passed.

I am a very involved and dedicated divorced father with 3 children. After suffering under the inequities and abuses of the MA family court system, and agreeing to overpay even by MA standards in order to gain (really buy) co-parenting arrangements, the MA courts allowed my X to break all of the agreements and take my children permanently out of state to Florida. A very positive co-parenting environment was destroyed simply because she wanted to move without any other justification. Of course, I was required to continue to pay the child support. The two older children legally returned to live with me in MA as soon as they reached an age to decide for themselves, but I now pay to support them each in two homes. The MA courts punish the dedicated and responsible fathers who they should be encouraging and supporting....even in addition to destroying them financially.

im an expectant father to be out of wed lock with someone im not with anymore.. just thinking about how much ill miss by not seeing my child as much i would like is heart breaking.. im in favor of shared parenting so i would feel more involved in my childs life.. i hope this bill passes

I am a father who had a child 11 years ago at the age of 18. Since that time, I have actively tried to participate in every aspect of my child's life. I have worked the same job for ten years and completed my college education. However, the courts have not held my child's mother to the same standards. Even though I have exceeded the basic child support requirements, the court has not required her mother to hold a job at all. My child has moved every year in the past 11 years because they have been evicted for not paying rent. The courts know this as a fact, since her mother takes me to court every year and do nothing. I have lived in the same town for over 20 years, yet this doesn't matter because I am not the mother. When my child support is going to her mother's wants versus my child's needs, that is when I know there is no justice in the family court system. I want to assure the media, government and people that there are many single fathers out there that are sincerely ...

I am a father of premature twin boys born July 30, 2007, weighing at lb. 14oz and 1b 15oz. at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston. After their birth I visited them everyday for four months in Intensive Care Unit.

A restraining order was issued against me on November 21, 2007. I only found out about this retraining order when I went to visit my children at the hospital and was denied entry into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A hearing was scheduled for November 30, 2007, but my children’s mother never showed up in court resulting in the order being dismissed.

When I arrived at the hospital with my dismissal court papers, my worst fears were confirmed. My children were gone. Their mother used the restraining order as pretext to remove my children from Massachusetts to Maine without my consent or without regards to my sons’ welfare. She took the children from the Intensive Care Unit of Tufts New England Medical Center.

The love for my children is ...

I'm in favor of shared parenting, there really is no other way

I am a father of a child born out of wedlock. I have been involved from day one and am struggling to gain my rights as a father. A presumption of shared parenting is more natural - why start with an assumption that one party (that father) should not be involved in a child's life?

I support this issue

Shared Parenting in Massachusetts, whats that??? Fair and the Common Wealth of Massachusetts???? What a Joke!!! I do agree that My cash is promoting someones COMMON,WEALTH But certainly not mine or my sons! I as a proud Texan Made the gravest of mistakes by reproducing with a devious, maladjusted Cape Codder. I have not seen my son since he was five years old, He will be twelve this June. I pay $ 700.00 a month for one child, as an Emergency Medical Service provider. I'm not sure what the going rate for a Critical Care Flight Paramedic is in Mass. But I'm fairly sure it's as close to squat as it is here in Texas. In all fairness I did have about a ten month respit from employment, which created some arrears that I pay extra for every month to try to pay down the balance. However the DOR sure likes to LEVY EVERY LAST PENNY! Only to realize when I call up there that I am well within the magical percentage rate that allows them to release the levy for three months. I have not had one ...

The whole system needs revamping, from bottom to top, starting with mass laws which COMPLETELY disenfranchise UNMARRIED fathers. It is absolutely absurd that a child of never married parents is AUTOMATICALLY determined to be 100% the ward of the MOTHER ONLY, with ANY and ALL paternal custodial rights needing to be petitioned for in and awarded by a probate court. This is my personal situation and it has not gone well, to the extreme detriment of my son and myself. Obviously the intent of such laws were to empower single mothers in pursuit of irresponsible fathers but unfortunately the reverse byproduct I'm describing is exactly true. Please support ANY legislation which will attempt to right this in justice. Thanks. CRT

I did nothing wrong in my marriage. I can't say the same for my former wife and now I am the one who is paying the penalty. I used to see my daughter every morning for an hour. At night I would make her dinner and I would have her all day Sunday. Two night a week her mother would go out and I would make her dinner and put her to bed and bath. My Ex said Sundays for herself. I did not mind. Now after the divorce, I see my daughter ever other weekend, tuesdays and alternating Thursdays. DOR/CSE attached my wages even though I was current and because of the way they did it, I paid twice in one week. The told me I would have to take my wife to court to get the money. These laws don't have the best interest in mind when it comes to the children. My daughter asked me why mommy won't let me spend more time with you? Try to explain that one to your child. These laws are really bad. Paul.

All groups interested in court reform or JUSTICE. We are trying to reach as many in Massachusetts as possible to assist in removing a very bad judge from the bench. If we succeed, it will send a message to other judges in our state, and other states may follow.

If you are kind enough to pass this on, please contact me with what groups it has been sent to. If you are in Mass., even if you don't want to participate in this particular activity, please contact me so we know who is out there that KNOWS how bad this system is and the damage it does to so very many. Together we can make a difference. Divided we shall be conquered. Please contact me at: gmejustice@yahoo.com All we are seeking is JUSTICE IN A COURT OF LAW. Please get involved. Let All Witness

Here's what we're doing to gather signatures for the petition SUGGESTED OPENING LINE: "Would you like to sign a petition regarding JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY?"

When people ask, the pitch should be something ...

Please accept my support, as too many of our children are growing up without a father in their lives, because men out there are irresponsible and don't want to be part of their lives. Don't punish those few responsible men who still want to be in their kids lives, even when a marriage hasn't survived.

Shared parenting is arguably the most important issue regarding the well-being of children across the Commonwealth. Responsible fathers should be encouraged to participate in the rearing of their children, and the decisions regarding their associations with their children should be made based on individual circumstances. This bill is a good start toward establishing state support for creating an environment that is proven to help children. Allowing responsible fathers equal time with their children will in no way limit the courts power to act accordingly, when necessary, to punish the deviants of the most important bond between people, the parent-child relationship.

Its about time.

Courts should treat both parents equally, REGARDLESS of gender. As an employer, I am not allowed to discriminate based on gender; how is it reasonable that a judge can?

Shared Parenting should be given the highest priority. Children need and deserve to have two parents, and one of those should be their father.

fathers are equally important in childrens lives,the restraining orders in this state is bogus.yes some people may need them but in lots of cases women are using them in the probate courts for the wrong reasons and all it does is hurt the children.

Dear Governor Patrick, House, Senate - I am a dedicated Father. I have sought addtional time with my children outside the court system without success. I must now spend thousands of dollars, better spent in support of my families home, on legal fees for the chance to be with my children more.

Please pass the shared parenting bill.

Thank you

Why can I only see my daughter for 48 hours every other weekend? Why can't I call my daughter 3 times a week? Why can't I see my daughter on her Birthday? Why does my daughter cry every other Sunday when I have to drop her off? Why can't I get a copy of my daughters report card? Why can't I get prints of my daughters School pictures? Why can't I be notified of a parent conference meeting?

Oh... because the Fathers who actually care have no rights!!!

Having issues with "medical" decisions affecting my children is frustrating. Two children 13 and 6 that are "medicated" to control them from exhibiting normal behaviors associated with 13 and 6 year old children. I use the time that I have with them for physical activities and getting out of the house, teaching cooking, word games, math games, art, sports, and other activities associated with a normal childhood. This in contrast to fast food 3 times a day 7 days a week, cartoons and video games all the time, and no out door activity at all. It is sad that both children are in less than healthy condition and "medicated" so they are not hyper. My experience has demonstrated that they are not hyper after challenging thinking, creativity, and physical activity. All of which they do not receive unless they are with me. "Medicated" with out my consent, against my wishes, and in violation of the court order.

equal rights for fathers. It's not a crime to be a dad. support this bill and DOR reform. Children are not paychecks as some mothers would believe.

Families must be saved. Reform divorce law, so that it equitable, humane, and compassionate. Families are the building blocks of society!

what kid that has two loving caring parents wouldn't want TWO loving parents in their lives? not one parent and one "visitor"

I feel this is right

Please take action and count my vote to support shared parenting.

I strongly support the shared parenting bill.

In my particular case, a GAL report ordered by Judge Spencer Kagan, at considerable cost to me, recommended joint physical custody of our 2 young children. By an unfortunate sequence of events the case was reassigned to Judge Robert Langlois. Judge Langlois declared in court "there will be no ruling for shared custody in my court". He did so without having read the GAL report and with very little knowledge of the case that he had just been assigned. He simply did not support shared parenting.

The courts belong to the citizens of the Commonwealth, not to the Judges. A Law supporting shared custody will prevent such miscarriages of justice in the future.

So many devoted fathers are being deprived of their right to be good fathers and a regular and consistent presence in their children's day to day lives as a result of family courts interpreting laws with a 50 year old lens. Times have changed. In most familes, both the ...

please help- good fathers are currently being denied a relationship with their children-- and the children are suffering as a result- current laws are in favor of mothers-- and not all mothers are able to care for their children properly--but if they have custody- then the children are at risk for suffering neglect-- while fathers struggle for visitation and custody

I support this issue.In the words of moses it would take more than a man to bring fairness to fathers,it would take the power of GOD.Heres hoping my son will never be put through the hell the courts have put me through.