When one parent refuses to follow the rules of custody

By |2022-04-07T19:58:57+00:0003 Mar 2016|Categories: Child Custody|

When one parent refuses to follow the rules of custody

Anyone who has ever watched a television drama knows that custody battles can get ugly. Unfortunately, reaching a custody agreement is frequently just the beginning of the fight. As children get older and lives change, parents can potentially find themselves embroiled in custody battles again and again.

Message boards and law information sites are clogged with parents seeking help and advice on enforcing a custody order. Common problems include one parent consistently running late when dropping off or picking up children, frequently needing to change visitation dates or even refusing to let children Skype or talk on the phone with the other parent.

The first step in resolving these types of custodial disputes is, if feasible, discussing the problem with the other parent. It may turn out that the parent is always running late because of traffic, or because a music lesson always runs over. The solution, therefore, may be something as simple as agreeing to change the pickup and drop off time.

It’s critical at this stage not to involve your children. While it’s tempting to ask your child to “please tell your father that if he can’t bring you home on time I’m going to petition the court for sole custody,” or to comment “tell your mother that it won’t kill her to learn be a little flexible,” dragging children into what is, in reality, a problem between the adults only makes things worse.

If the adults cannot come to an amicable agreement on their own, it’s time to call in the professionals. A qualified family law attorney can help parents draft a solid, workable parenting agreement and avoid the expense and emotional cost of relying on the courts to modify and enforce a custody agreement.

About the Author:

Dorie Anne Rogers - The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC
Dorie A. Rogers, a Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California, has been an attorney since 1981 with an exclusive family law practice located in Orange County. She is accepting dissolution cases with support and property issues including the use of forensics to ascertain business value, community interests and to establish monthly case flow analysis. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in high conflict custody litigation involving sophisticated psychological issues. She drafts premarital and postmarital agreement designed to define and establish parties' separate and community property interests. Paternity cases and domestic violence matters are considered part of her practice. Ms. Rogers is a court-approved and court-appointed to represent minor children.Ms. Rogers consults with individuals concerned about entering or exiting a relationship. She advises effective strategies for dissolution or premarital planning. Knowledge is power and good planning affords better results.Specialties: Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California
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