Peking Best

A family member has developed a drinking problem. She has two children, aged 6 and 9 years. Both children have medical problems which she has dealt with superbly. Her husband works 60+ hours a week and never helps with anything. The husband takes only an absolute minimum interest in his family which appears to be underfed and inadequately clothed. As the mother's drinking problem gets worse the husband is considering removing the two children from the mother's care, in the best interests of the children. Many children are removed from the care of one spouse by another, usually the man does the removing. I think this is usually referred to as kidnapping. My question is Can the husband do this unilaterally? Where should I go for more advice? What sort of attorney deals with this kind of problem? What is trying to be accomplished here is to prevail upon the husband to adopt a less draconian, more conciliatory attitude. This mother needs a marital best friend, which she currently does not have; she is a very lonely person. V.

6 and 9 years. Both children have medical problems which she has dealt with superbly. Her husband works 60+ hours a week and never helps with anything. The husband takes only an absolute minimum interest in his family which appears to be underfed and inadequately clothed. As the mother's drinking problem gets worse the husband is considering removing the two children from the mother's care, in the best interests of the children. Many children are removed from the care of one spouse by another, usually the man does the removing. I think this is usually referred to as kidnapping. My question is Can the husband do this unilaterally? Where should I go for more advice? What sort of attorney deals with this kind of problem? What is trying to be accomplished here is to prevail upon the husband to adopt a less draconian, more conciliatory attitude. This mother needs a marital best friend, which she currently does not have; she is a very lonely person. You do not say whether there has been family counseling. I'd think that would be a first step, before resorting to legal action. If you are in a position to advise, please check out facilities for family counseling in your area (or where the family member lives).  I suggest this so that when/if you talk to the couple, (or whichever will listen to you), you don't just say How about getting counseling , but have ready a list of facilities, with name, address, and phone. Not knowing the family, I can't help wondering whether the mother's drinking is related to the husband's coldness and distance. I do hope either both or at least the mother will go for counseling.  There are many worthy groups that help with alcoholism, not just in an AA religious sense. Keep us posted!