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GREGORY E. MICHAEL and
ROSEMARY E. MICHAEL
Plaintiffs
VS.
GINGER M. BJURSTROM and,
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. () I - -7 y 10 L? U ( -{'a4,
IN CHILD CUSTODY
Prior Judicial Assignment (in a related case regarding this child): J. Wesley Oler, Jr, Judge
Prior Conciliator (in related case regarding this child): Melissa P. Greevy, Esquire
COMPLAINT FOR PARTIAL CUSTODY
AND/OR VISITATION
AND NOW, come Plaintiffs, Gregory E. Michael and Rosemary E. Michael, by and
through their counsel, Linda A. Clotfelter, who file this Complaint for Partial Custody and/or
Visitation, respectfully stating the following:
1. Plaintiffs are Gregory E. Michael and Rosemary E. Michael, (hereinafter referred
to as "Grandparents"), adult individuals who reside at 7372 Spring Road, New Bloomfield, Perry
County, Pennsylvania 17068. Grandparents are the paternal grandparents of the children that are
the subject of this custody proceeding.
2. Defendant, Ginger M. Bjurstrom, (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), is an adult
individual who currently resides at 617 Bosler Avenue, Lemoyne, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17043.
3. Defendant, Nathaniel G. Michael, (hereinafter referred to as "Father"), is an adult
individual who currently resides at 7432 Spring Road, New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania.
4. Grandparents seek partial custody and/or visitation of Lawson Gregory Michael,
born January 18, 2002, age (5) years; and McKayla Ashley Michael, born August 24, 2000, age
a
(7) years. The children were born out of wedlock.
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5. The children are presently in the custody of Mother who resides at 617 Bosler
Avenue, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17043.
6. During the past five years, the children have resided with the following persons
at the following addresses for the following periods of time:
NAME
Ginger M. Bjurstrom
Nathaniel G. Michael
Ginger M. Bjurstrom
Nathaniel G. Michael
Ginger M. Bjurstrom
Nancy Bjurstrom
(Maternal Grandmother)
Dennis Schaffner
(Maternal Grandmother's
paramour)
Ginger M. Bjurstrom
ADDRESSES DATES
4 South View Circle 8/24/00-6/10/05
Shermansdale, Perry County
7432 Spring Road 6/10/05-8/21/05
New Bloomfield, Perry County
15 Roosevelt Street 8/21/05-6/06
Enola, Cumberland County
617 Bosler Avenue 6/06-present
Lemoyne, Cumberland County
7. The relationship of the Plaintiffs to the children is that of natural paternal
grandparents. The relationships of Defendants to the children are natural Mother and Father. The
Defendant/Mother resides with the children and Defendant/Father resides alone.
8. Plaintiffs have not participated as a party or witness, or in any other capacity in
other litigation concerning the custody of the children. However, a current Order of Court is
filed to Civil Docket No. 06-5292 granting custody of the minor children to Defendant/Mother
and supervised visitation of the minor children to Defendant/Father. A true and correct copy of
the Order is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and is incorporated herein.
9. Plaintiffs do not know of a person not a party to the proceedings who has physical
custody of the children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the children.
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10. The best interests and permanent welfare of the Children will be served by
granting the relief requested for the following reasons:
a) It is important for the children's social and emotional development to have a
relationship with their grandparents and other extended family.
b) The children have bonded strongly with their grandparents due to significant
contact when the family was intact and a stronger bond developed when the paternal
grandmother (Plaintiff herein) provided daycare for the children three days per week for
approximately 5-6 hours per day for approximately one year.
c) Due to Mother and Father's separation in August, 2005, and the deterioration of
their relationship, Grandparents have been unable to see the children through either
parent. Although Mother said she would "think" about permitting Grandmother time
with the children, she has failed to follow through with a response and has changed her
telephone number. In September, 2007, when Grandmother attempted to deliver
McKayla's birthday gift, she was directed by Mother's boyfriend and roommate, to
remove herself from the porch where the children reside.
d) Because of the strong prior relationship Grandparents had with the children, they
feel it is important to have time with them so that throughout their lives the children
know that their Grandparents are there for them as a confidants, friends, or otherwise in
the same way that they are available for their other granddaughter Caitlin Zeigler, their
cousin age (11).
e) Grandparents feel strongly about participating as fully as possible in the
children's lives to the extent that is permitted by Pennsylvania law.
f) Grandparents are unable to rely upon their son, Father, for contact with the
children due to Father's personal issues and the current Order limiting his contact with
the children to supervised visits at the YWCA in Harrisburg and therefore, the only way
for the Grandparents to have any contact with his children would be by order of court for
partial custody and/or visitation.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, Gregory E. Michael and Rosemary E. Michael, respectfully
request that this Court enter an appropriate order for partial custody and/or visitation with the
children, Lawson Gregory Michael and McKayla Ashley Michael, and granting such other relief
as this court deems just and proper.
Respectfully submitted,
LAW FIRM OF LINDA A. CLOTFELTER
Li da A. Clotfelter, Esquire
At rney ID No. 72963
1 East Trindle Road, Suite 100
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 796-1930 telephone
(717) 796-1933 facsimile
Attorney for Plaintiffs
GREGORY E. MICHAEL and
ROSEMARY E. MICHAEL
Plaintiffs
VS.
GINGER M. BJURSTROM and,
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 07- 74//6 ( I j, I
IN CHILD CUSTODY
VERIFICATION
We, Gregory E. Michael and Rosemary E. Michael, verify that the statements in the
foregoing document are true and correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief.
We understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. §
4904, relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
Date: 1" tiv
Date: la
GREGO E CHAEL
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ROSEMARY E. CHAE
flU V V 40 1- GINGER M. BJURSTROM,
Plaintiff
v_
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-5292 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, ±f,is /..# day of November, 2006. upon consideration of the
attached Custody Conciliation Summary Report, it is hereby ordered and directed as
follows:
1. Mother shall have legal custody of the minor children, Lawson Gregory
Michael, born January 18, 2002, and McKayla Ashley Michael, born on August 24, 2000.
2. Physical Custody. Mother shall have primary physical custody of the minor
children. Father shall have supervised visitation up to two times per week at the Harrisburg
YWCA. In order for supervised visits to occur. Father shaii contact the Harrisburg YWCA at
1-800-654-1211 and notify Mother's counsel after he has done so.
3. Father shall participate in a drug and alcohol evaluation, at his expense and
follow up with any treatment which is recommended by the evaluator. The evaluator shall
be a certified addictions counselor. Mother shall be given notice of the provider which
Father selects for the chemical evaluation and shall be given an opportunity to provide her
observations and experience with Father and her allegations regarding his chemical
dependency issues.
4. if Father has attended the Seminar for Separating Families, or a comparable
program, Father shaii fiie a certificate with this Court and shall provide a Copy Of t hie
certificate to Mother's counsel. If Father has not attended the Seminar for Separating
Families, he shall do so within sixty (60) days of the date of this Order and file a certificate of
attendance with the Court, copied to opposing counsel, within ten (10) days after his
attendance at the seminar.
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5. The terms of this Order are temporary in nature and maybe subject to
modification upon the agreement of the parties. Upon completion of the drug and alcohol
evaluation and any treatment recommended by the evaluator, Father may petition the Court
for modification of this Order.
BY THE COURT:
J.
Des': Natna^iel : Nlict?ael, 1432 Spmg Road, New Bloomfield. PA 17068
Wendy J. l: Grella Esquire. 3618 North Sixth Street. P.O. Box 5292, Harrisburg, PA 17110
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GREGORY E. MICHAEL AND ROSEMARY
E. MICHAEL
PLAINTIFF
V.
GINGER M. BJURSTROM AND
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL
DEFENDANT
. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
2007-7410 CIVIL ACTION LAW
. IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Wednesday, December 12, 2007 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before John J. Mangan, Jr., Esq. , the conciliator,
at 4th Floor, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 10:00 AM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an effort will be made to resolve the issues in dispute; or
if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by the court, and to enter into a temporary
order. Failure to appear at the conference may provide grounds for entry of a temporary or permanent order.
The court hereby directs the parties to furnish any and all existing Protection from Abuse orders,
Special Relief orders, and Custody orders to the conciliator 48 hours prior to scheduled hearing.
FOR THE COURT,
By: /s/ John J. Mandan, jr., Esq.
Custody Conciliator
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply with the Americans
with Disabilites Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations
available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact our office. All arrangements
must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court. You must attend the scheduled
conference or hearing.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR ATTORNEY AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE AN ATTORNEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
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GREGORY E. MICHAEL AND
ROSEMARY E. MICHAEL,
Plaintiff
V.
GINGER M. BJURSTROM AND
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL
Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL, ACTION -LAW
: NO. 2007-7410
IN CUSTODY
DEFENDANT. GINGER BAWTROM'S. MOTION TO DISMISS
PLAINTI F'F'S COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
AND NOW, this le day of January, 2008, comes the Defendant, Ginger Bjurstrom, by and
through her attorney, Wendy J. F. Grella, Esquire, and files this Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint
for Custody and in furtherance thereof states as follows:
1. Plaintiffs filed a Complaint for Custody on December 10, 2007, seeking custody and visitation of
their grandchildren, Lawson Gregory Michael and McKayla Ashley Michael.
2. Undersigned counsel was not served with a copy of the Complaint until after December 15, 2007.
3. Plaintiffs lack capacity to sue, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(5) as well as, lack standing
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§5312 and 5313 to claim custody or visitation rights of the
grandchildren.
4. Additionally, Plaintiffs' Complaint fails to state grounds sufficient to assert standing to pursue
custody and/or visitation of the children.
5. Defendant Mother believes visitation rights or partial custody, or both, would not be in the best
interest of the children and would interfere with the parent-child relationship.
6. Factually, Defendants, Mother and Father, were never married and separated on August 21,
2005.
7. Defendant Mother, Ginger Bjurstrom, obtained a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order against
Defendant Father, Nathaniel Michael in late August, 2005.
8. As Plaintiffs Complaint indicates, an Order of Court was entered in the Cumberland County
Court of Common Pleas at Docket No. 06-5292 granting custody of the children to Defendant
Mother and supervised visitation of the minor children to Defendant Father.
9. To date, Defendant Father has never exercised his supervised visitation rights.
10. Plaintiff Grandmother's only contact with the children was when she arrived at Defendant
Mother's residence, unannounced and uninvited on April 20, 2007, and made inappropriate
remarks to the minor children as to why their father was not seeing them; and on September 18,
2007, when Plaintiff Grandmother again arrived at Defendant/Mother's residence unannounced,
uninvited, and 25 days after the minor granddaughter's birthday to give the child her birthday
presents.
11. The above two dates were the only two personal appearances made by Grandmother since
October, 2006.
12. It is believed that Plaintiff Grandfather has not had contact with the children since at least
October, 2006.
13. Defendant Mother has continued to be the sole caretaker of the children.
14. Defendant Mother has continued to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support for her
children.
15. It is believed and therefore averred that any visitation rights or partial custody, or both, which
might be awarded to Plaintiff Grandparents would not be in the best interest of the children and
would interfere with the parent-child relationship.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Ginger Bjurstrom, respectfully requests Your Honorable Court to
dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint for Custody for lack of capacity to sue, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(5) as
well as, lack of standing pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§5312 and 5313. Additionally, Defendant Ginger
Bjurstrom respectfully requests Your Honorable Court to dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint for Custody as
visitation rights or partial custody, or both, would not be in the best interest of the children and would
interfere with the parent-child relationship.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy J. F. Grell
Attorney for Defe dant, r Bjurstrom
3618 N. a Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 234-6001
Fax: (717) 234-6050
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GREGORY E. MICHAEL AND : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ROSEMARY E. MICHAEL, : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
GINGER M. BJURSTROM AND NO. 2007-7410
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL
Defendants : IN CUSTODY
PRAECIPE TO ENTER APPEARANCE
TO:PROTHONOTARY
Please enter my appearance as counsel on behalf of the above-named Defendant, Ginger
Bjurstrom. Thank You.
DATE:
Wendy J. F. tel sc
3618 N. 6t' S t
P.O. Box 5292
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 234-6001
Fax: (717) 234-6050
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GREGORY E. MICHAEL AND
ROSEMARY E. MICHAEL,
Plaintiff
V.
GINGER M. BJURSTROM AND
NATHANIEL G. MICHAEL
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2007-7410
IN CUSTODY
DEFENDANT, GINGER BJURSTROM'S, AMENDMENT TO MOTION TO DISMISS
PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
AND NOW, this 28" day of January, 2008, comes the Defendant, Ginger Bjurstrom, by and
through her attorney, Wendy J. F. Grella, Esquire, and files this Amendment to Motion to Dismiss
Plaintiff's Complaint for Custody and in furtherance thereof states as follows:
1. Defendant, Ginger Bjurstrom previously filed a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint for
Custody.
2. The averments contained in said Motion to Dismiss are incorporated by reference in this
Amendment.
3. On or about January 22, 2008, undersigned counsel received notification from the Cumberland
County Court Administrator's office that additional information was required for the Motion.
4. In compliance with that notification, on Friday, January 25, 2007, undersigned counsel contacted
Ms. Linda Clotfelter's office and was informed via message that Ms. Clotfelter does not concur
with the granting of Defendant's Motion to Dismiss.
5. Additionally, other than paragraph 8 of Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, which states, "As
Plaintiff's Complaint indicates, an Order of Court was entered in the Cumberland County Court
of Common Pleas at Docket No. 06-5292 granting custody of the children to Defendant Mother
and supervised visitation of the minor children to Defendant Father," it should be noted that said
order was signed by the Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr. following a conciliation conference before
Melissa Greevy, Esquire.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Ginger Bjurstrom, respectfully requests Your Honorable Court to
dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint for Custody for lack of capacity to sue, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(5) as
well as, lack of standing pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§5312 and 5313. Additionally, Defendant Ginger
Bjurstrom respectfully requests Your Honorable Court to dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint for Custody as
visitation rights or partial custody, or both, would not be in the best interest of the children and would
interfere with the parent-child relationship.
Respectfully submitted,
I _,
Wendy J. F. Gre11
Attorney for Def nd Gi ger Bjurstrom
3618 N. 6"' SftQ(j
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 234-6001
Fax: (717) 234-6050
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GREGORY E. MICHAEL : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
and ROSEMARY E. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL,
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
GINGER M. BJURSTROM :
and NATHANIEL G.
MICHAEL,
Defendants NO. 07-7410 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: DEFENDANT, GINGER BJURSTROM'S, MOTION
TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF[S'] COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
BEFORE OLER, J.
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 4th day of February, 2008, upon consideration of the
Complaint for Partial Custody and/or Visitation filed in the above-captioned
matter, and of Defendant, Ginger Bjurstrom's Motion To Dismiss Plaintiffts']
Complaint for Custody, and it appearing that an existing custody case was
commenced in this county at No. 06-5292 Civil Term, containing a custody order
in full force and effect with respect to the children who are the subject of
Plaintiffs' complaint for custody/visitation herein, and it appearing further that
Plaintiffs were aware of this existing case when they commenced the present
action, Plaintiffs' complaint is dismissed, without prejudice to their right to file a
petition to intervene in the action at No. 06-5292 Civil Term and to assert their
claims in that action, and without prejudice to the right of either party in that
action to oppose the intervention on grounds of lack of standing.
BY THE COURT,
Jr esley lr, Jr.,
91.01 HIV S- 83J 90BZ
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v l :3 Hi Jo
John J. Mangan, Esq.
57 West Pomfret Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Custody Conciliator
? Linda A. Clotfelter, Esq.
5021 East Trindle Road
Suite 200
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Wendy J.F. Grella, Esq.
3618 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Attorney for Defendant
Ginger Bjurstrom
LXathaniel G. Michael
7432 Spring Road
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
Defendant, pro Se
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