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What to do when FMIL wants FFIL arrested

A little backstory: MIL and FIL had a nasty divorce many years ago and have not had a good relationship since, even though they have both moved on and married other people. She may or may not have grounds to have him arrested, which is why he lives out of state and never comes around. Basically the whole thing is a mess to the point where he hasn't seen FIs younger brother for 15years and did not attended the funeral of FIs other brother, his own son, because everyone was afraid of what FMIL would do. Obviously we want FFIL at our wedding, so FI has decided to have a sit down with his mom about this. We decided I would sit this one out, even though I would like to be there to support FI and present a united front to FMIL. Here is the advice I gave FI: Don't ask her permission for FFIL to attend. Tell her he would like to come and she needs to be ok with that. Don't make this about the past and who may have done what to who. Get some.kind of commitment out of her that our wedding won't be n episode of Cops or Springer. If she tries to make it about us picking sides tell her we want them both there, peacefully, they don't even have to interact. Be prepared to tell her that if something goes down because of her, our relationship with her will be seriously damaged. I know this is long but I can't figure out how to make it shorter and still make sense. Does anyone have any advice for us about this situation?
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Re: What to do when FMIL wants FFIL arrested

  • Duds is wise. You might want to make sure that FFIL isn't going to get arrested by police (even if FMIL doesn't report him) as soon as he crosses the state line.
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  • meg65meg65 member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited January 2012
    We are unsure if he could actually be arrested. It's a back child support thing, which he hasn't been able to pay because he hasn't been employed or hasn't made enough. Probably should have clarified so you guys didn't think he was a murderer or something. There is just a LOT of animosity between FMIL and FFILs entire family. FMIL is prone to blood feuds, Romeo and Juliet style
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  • Wow - if we are only talking about back child support then I think it is pretty unforgiveable that the man couldn't attend his son's funeral.  It isn't like the cops stake out funeral homes for deadbeat dads.  If he couldn't attend because she would have him arrested she's a horrid person.

    Are you and FI completely sure this isn't anything more than a child support issue?  Before your FI sits down with mom he should really have a long chat with his dad and then go from there.

    I hope you come back and let us know how this works out.
  • RamonaFlowersRamonaFlowers member
    Eighth Anniversary 500 Love Its 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited January 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_fmil-wants-ffil-arrested?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1f2bb5a2-d935-4587-b223-9f937d2e2e88Post:35256310-3ea7-4d7e-acd2-898b1bd24b9f">Re: What to do when FMIL wants FFIL arrested</a>:
    [QUOTE]Wow - if we are only talking about back child support then I think it is pretty unforgiveable that the man couldn't attend his son's funeral.  It isn't like the cops stake out funeral homes for deadbeat dads.
    Posted by kmmssg[/QUOTE]

    I know this sounds pretty unbelievable, but my one cousin was arrested at my great-aunt's wake because the cops saw the obituary for her (Knew it was his mother) and they did stake the place out on the assumption my cousin would attempt to go pay his respects. They blocked his car in, arrested him, and he was booked before the service was over.

    Granted, he wasn't arrested for backed child support, but it wasn't exactly a very serious offense, either. So, if FFIL legitimately could be arrested at this point for whatever he did, it is definitely possible that he could have been arrested at his son's funeral.

    *I felt sorry for my husband before I met him. Take a number.*
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  • I agree with Duds. Saying that it's 'just child support' is wrong.

    On my side, it was my bio-mom that didn't pay up for YEARS. Then, once my brother turned 18 (I was 15) she tried to go to the court and act like I didn't even exist so that she didn't have to pay anymore.

    My father struggled for years as a single father. Bottom line, if you have a kid, you should help in raising / support that child in some form or another.

    Just my thoughts.

    OP, I'd have your FI have a long heart to heart with his dad and get his dads full side and then have another heart to heart with his mom.

    Good luck.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_fmil-wants-ffil-arrested?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1f2bb5a2-d935-4587-b223-9f937d2e2e88Post:e78d77b8-38de-477d-8a9a-3f4b86409a6d">Re: What to do when FMIL wants FFIL arrested</a>:
    [QUOTE]For him to not see his child for 15 years and skip the funeral of another child, it sounds like something is up that could be unlawful. FI needs to talk to his dad, too, and make sure there are no grounds for arrest should he be in your state. If all seems OK, invite who you want to be there and hire security JIC things get messy.
    Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]
    This.
  • I agree that child support is a big deal, but when she was saying that the mother was so adamant about having him arrested to the point that he couldn't even attend his own son's funeral, I thought it was something horrible like rape, or molestation of a child.

    I think its a good idea that you don't get involved in the chats. This is something that has been a problem in their family before you came along, and your FI needs to be the one to step up. If you went, his mother might feel attacked and get defensive.

    Just remember not to get too high of expectations. I would hate for you both to be disappointed. Even if his mother agrees to cool off, and not do anything, there's no guarantee his father will believe it. He still might not come.
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  • Child support arrests don't work like that.  Failure to pay is civil contempt, not a criminal act.  A person can be incarcerated, but it's not the same thing as an active criminal warrant where the police would be looking for him.  If she "has enough to have him arrested" it probably means he is in contempt, but there is no warrant.  A judge would have to issue a warrant.

    Regardless, if this guy skipped his son's funeral, he's probably going to skip his other son's wedding.  I don't think it matters what FMIL says or does.  I don't see him coming.
  • Holy Moses everyone, take a step back.

    Have I ever relied on child support payments?  Yes, I was a single mom for MANY years.

    Have I ever PAID child support?  yes, when one DD chose to live with her dad.

    My post was taken completely out of context.  I consider child support just as important as any of you and have a DD who has a deadbeat ex.  When I said "only child support" I was thinking more along the lines of comparing it with a felony.

    The OP's FIL is obviously a dirtbag for not paying but in the case of not being able to attend your son's funeral because your ex will have you arrested - 2 wrongs don't make a right.

    I can promise you I value parental responsibility just as greatly as any of you.  If my post was poorly worded, my apologies as it was definitely misunderstood.
  • FWIW, enforcement of back child support varies by state. Some states, such as Texas, take it very very seriously and the Attorney General's office will actively pursue offenders. Rightfully so as it is a serious issue.
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  • I would maybe talk with FI about not trying to get a committment out of her about how she'll behave, but instead frame it all more like an FYI to her. 

    He should just let her know that the plan is to invite him, which isn't a negotiable decision, and that you guys aren't not sure whether or not he'll be there, but you both just wanted to give her a heads up.  Tell her that you'll make sure to provide seating arrangements during the ceremony and dinner to ensure that they aren't by each other. 

    And then like PP suggested, hire good security and give them a heads up about the situation. 

  • I would tell FIL that you would love to have him at the wedding, but to please make sure that everything is in order legally so that he isn't arrested (I'm sure he wouldn't want this to happen either).

    I think you could also check with the local police to see if it's even an issue.  I don't know if they would be able to tell you anything though.

    I think you should also tell MIL that he will be invited to the wedding, and that if she is going to call the cops, she should do so before or after the wedding rather than during.  IMO, what happens at your wedding is your business, but what happens before or after the wedding is between MIL, FIL, and the police.
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