Court says dying father allowed to leave "time capsule" for angry daughter

http://www.theage.com.au/national/if...0812-3u61.html

'If you see this DVD, I love you'
A DYING man has been told by the Family Court that he may leave a "time
capsule", consisting of a letter and DVD, for the 11-year-old daughter he
has not seen for five years. The main purpose is to exonerate the girl for
her father's death.

The girl has consistently expressed a wish that "her father was dead", the
court was told. The man, who has terminal liver cancer, has as little as six
to 12 months to live.

The court's family consultant has expressed concern for the girl's emotional
health in light of the vehement remarks she has made about her father over
years.

The girl's lawyer, Duncan Holmes, said: "While wishing your father dead
might be a typical childish remark, in this case the little girl's wish is
going to come true, quite quickly. In the circumstances, you have to do what
you can."

The girl was three when her parents separated in 2000. The trial judge,
Justice Le Poer Trench, said the mother was "permeated with hatred for the
father" and was unwilling to foster the relationship between father and
daughter.

In 2002, the court ordered that the father be allowed regular phone contact,
and be able to send letters and gifts. The parents were ordered to attend
counselling.

The girl last saw her father in December 2003. He applied in 2006 to see her
every second weekend and half the school holidays. But, according to Mr
Holmes, the case had "meandered through the court for 2½ years until it
clicked into gear after his diagnosis of inoperable liver cancer".

Mr Holmes said the child had expressed hatred of her father from a young
age. Yet the court records showed there was no abuse or serious violence.

Mr Holmes said the mother had not believed her ex-husband was dying, and it
had been necessary to bring his doctor to court to give his diagnosis.

The court has said the father should provide the letter and DVD to Mr
Holmes, who would check it to ensure it was suitable, containing, for
example, nothing that disparaged the mother. The time capsule will be lodged
with the court and the girl will be told how to access it.

Mr Holmes said the court had also made orders to attempt to set up a last
meeting, but he held little hope it would proceed. He said it was rare for a
court to go to such lengths to allow a father "to convey his love to his
daughter".

I'd bet the hatred is so firmly indoctrinated, the girl will never read
or watch it. She'll probably never even know why she is so bitter.
It seems mom got her revenge at a cost to her child's mental health.
Wonder if she has a large life insurance policy on him.
Phil #3

"Dusty" wrote in message
...
http://www.theage.com.au/national/if...0812-3u61.html

'If you see this DVD, I love you'
A DYING man has been told by the Family Court that he may leave a
"time capsule", consisting of a letter and DVD, for the 11-year-old
daughter he has not seen for five years. The main purpose is to
exonerate the girl for her father's death.

The girl has consistently expressed a wish that "her father was dead",
the court was told. The man, who has terminal liver cancer, has as
little as six to 12 months to live.

The court's family consultant has expressed concern for the girl's
emotional health in light of the vehement remarks she has made about
her father over years.

The girl's lawyer, Duncan Holmes, said: "While wishing your father
dead might be a typical childish remark, in this case the little
girl's wish is going to come true, quite quickly. In the
circumstances, you have to do what you can."

The girl was three when her parents separated in 2000. The trial
judge, Justice Le Poer Trench, said the mother was "permeated with
hatred for the father" and was unwilling to foster the relationship
between father and daughter.

In 2002, the court ordered that the father be allowed regular phone
contact, and be able to send letters and gifts. The parents were
ordered to attend counselling.

The girl last saw her father in December 2003. He applied in 2006 to
see her every second weekend and half the school holidays. But,
according to Mr Holmes, the case had "meandered through the court for
2½ years until it clicked into gear after his diagnosis of inoperable
liver cancer".

Mr Holmes said the child had expressed hatred of her father from a
young age. Yet the court records showed there was no abuse or serious
violence.

Mr Holmes said the mother had not believed her ex-husband was dying,
and it had been necessary to bring his doctor to court to give his
diagnosis.

The court has said the father should provide the letter and DVD to Mr
Holmes, who would check it to ensure it was suitable, containing, for
example, nothing that disparaged the mother. The time capsule will be
lodged with the court and the girl will be told how to access it.

Mr Holmes said the court had also made orders to attempt to set up a
last meeting, but he held little hope it would proceed. He said it was
rare for a court to go to such lengths to allow a father "to convey
his love to his daughter".

"Dusty" wrote in

The girl was three when her parents separated in 2000. The trial judge,
Justice Le Poer Trench, said the mother was "permeated with hatred for the
father" and was unwilling to foster the relationship between father and
daughter.


I have to ask, how can this emotional child abuse be tolerated?
An parent using their children as pawns for their own selfish games are not
worthy of that child's trust!

The laws need to be changed NOW, 50/50 custody with no money exchange!!!
The present CS system only allows to hold one parent hostage to the other's
will.

For the "real" best interest of the children, allow the children to live in
a civilized environment!!!!!!