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I have been divorced for almost three years and have two children 10 and 7. I am the custodial parent but am thinking of filing for sole legal custody. My ex and I cannot communicate about anything. He won't even acknowledge my existance. When I try to be civil, he always makes digs or criticizes everything. We cannot discuss anything in person. It is all done by email. He pays his support but nothing further. He is over a year behind in medical bills. What will I need to show that I am the responsible parent and should have sole legal custody? I'm not trying to keep him from our children, I just don't want the kids to have to see how he treats me more than neccesary.

The only permanent way is to get remarried, tell your ex he doesn't have to pay CS in lieu of forever giving up his parental rights, and your new husband is willing to adopt the kids at the same time.

Beyond that, unless you have multiple restraining orders, he is a convicted child abuser, or he is in prison, the chances are slim.

The possiblity of me getting remarried is very high as I have been dating a man for almost three years. He loves my kids and wishes they were his. The problem is that we would have to move over 100 miles away and I'm sure that my ex will fight this. We would still be within the state, just over 100 miles from our current home. I know that my ex would never give up his rights to the kids. He is remarried and is being directed as to what to do. The problem is his hatred for me. It's just not in the best interest of the children for them to see his actions toward me on a routine basis. I just want to be able to make the decisions about religion, school and such without needing to talk to him. He makes everything so difficult. And I thought that maybe if I was awarded sole legal custody, I wouldn't have to worry about him trying to block our move when I remarry. He doesn't care about anything but making my life hell. He wants to see me suffer and I'm not. I'm probably better off now than I ever was with him.

Read the Indiana parenting guidelines, if you move 100 miles or less he can not block it and if he is treating you like this in front of the children document it or record it take it to your lawyer this is against the guidelines and you may be able to win in this case

[quote=astrolink]The only permanent way is to get remarried, tell your ex he doesn't have to pay CS in lieu of forever giving up his parental rights, and your new husband is willing to adopt the kids at the same time.

Beyond that, unless you have multiple restraining orders, he is a convicted child abuser, or he is in prison, the chances are slim. [/quote]

I disagree with this.I got full custody of my children and my x has no parental rights and still has to pay child support.I done all this without the help of an Attorney.
Best thing to do is document everything and when you feel you have enough,take it to court and see what happens.
Also,if you feel that it is interfering with your kids' life,get them into counseling,and then use the therapist in court against him.That is how I got my ex's rights terminated.It took about 8 months of therapy,but in the end,the kids are happy again and they don't have the stress or worry that mom is going to do anything stupid.