Judge Judy calculated that this amounted to $1,200 or $1,300 a month.
Mr. Hannah claimed he was supporting himself and his two children on that amount.
Immediate Custody Decision
Judge Judy then stated that the children were going to be with their mother.
Child Support Modification
Judge Judy informed Mr. Hannah that he would not be supporting himself and the two children on his disability income alone.
He would be assisting in the support of the children.
She then addressed the $66 a month child support.
Judge Judy declared that $66 a month "doesn't cut it."
Mr. Hannah interjected that it was all he could afford.
He added that he had to live and provide a roof over his head.
Judge Judy instructed Mrs. Hannah to call her job tomorrow morning.
She advised Mrs. Hannah to ask if she could take a day off.
Mrs. Hannah was told to go to the local family court.
She was to request an immediate upward modification of the $66 a month award.
Judge Judy called the $66 award "outrageous" for the support of two children.
She stated it was in violation of federal child support guidelines.
This applied even with Mr. Hannah being on disability.
Judge Judy asked Mrs. Hannah if she was taking her children home with her.
Mrs. Hannah confirmed she was.
Importance of Both Parents
Judge Judy stated that this took care of one issue.
She then moved to the next issue.
She emphasized that the children should spend reasonable quality time with both parents.
This included their father.
Mr. Hannah's Visitation Concerns
Mr. Hannah claimed that Mrs. Hannah would not tell him where the children were.
He also stated that she would not tell him their school.
Mr. Hannah said he could not contact the children.
Judge Judy's Perspective on Marital Problems
Judge Judy acknowledged Mr. Hannah's anger.
She focused on ensuring the children spent quality time with their father.
She reminded Mr. Hannah that it takes two people to create problems in a marriage.
Judge Judy suggested that both parties likely made mistakes.
She stated that the only good thing to come from their marriage was their children.
Visitation Schedule
Judge Judy asked Mrs. Hannah about Mr. Hannah's visitation schedule.
Mrs. Hannah confirmed it was "every odd weekend."
Mr. Hannah stated he was supposed to pick them up this Friday.
Judge Judy's Opinion on Visitation Frequency
Judge Judy expressed her personal opinion.
She believed children should see both parents every weekend, not every other week.
She stated that "every other week doesn't make a father."
Judge Judy added that "every other week makes a visitor," which she found unfortunate.
Advice for Mr. Hannah
Judge Judy advised Mr. Hannah to fight for every weekend visitation in court.
She specified that this should be done in court, not outside of court.
She also suggested fighting for three weekends.
This would allow Mrs. Hannah to spend one weekend with the kids.
This would be if Mrs. Hannah wanted to go away or was working.
Judge Judy thought Mrs. Hannah should have a weekend, perhaps a month, for quality playtime with the kids.
She reiterated that it was important for Mr. Hannah to see his children.
Neutral Pickup Location
Judge Judy asked where Mr. Hannah wanted to pick up the children this Friday.
She inquired if there was a neutral place.
Mrs. Hannah stated that the court order was for him to pick them up from school.
She added that this was the order until it was changed.
Instructions for Attorneys and Modification
Judge Judy noted that they had plenty of time this week to change the order.
She suggested that tomorrow morning, they meet at the courthouse.
She asked if they each had attorneys in their matrimonial action.
Mr. Hannah stated he was seeking a different attorney.
Judge Judy advised them to call their current attorneys before changing them.
She told them to inform their attorneys that they needed to go to the courthouse tomorrow morning.
The purpose was to find a different, more neutral spot to pick up and return the children.
Final Orders for the Day
Judge Judy reiterated that the children were going home with Mrs. Hannah today.
She suggested Mrs. Hannah stay home with them tomorrow.
Mrs. Hannah was to make arrangements for the children.
She was also to arrange for her attorneys to contact each other to modify the order.
Warning Against Self-Help
Judge Judy warned Mr. Hannah that if he wanted the order changed, he had to go through a court.
She repeated that he could not resort to self-help.
Mr. Hannah acknowledged this.
Judge Judy concluded the case.