Co-parenting can be a nightmare when the other parent constantly violates the custody arrangement. They could interrupt your parenting time by relocating with the children, not adhering to the visitation schedules or denying you access altogether.
When this happens regularly, your place in the children’s lives may be at risk, and you need to protect your parental rights. Fortunately, the law is on your side. Court-issued custody orders are not optional for either parent and if your co-parent is not living up to the judge’s directives, you can seek the court’s intervention.
Gather the necessary evidence
Baseless claims made to the court are not likely to amount to anything. The court needs proof of your co-parent’s custody violation before issuing further instructions on the way forward.
Therefore, it is advisable to gather as much evidence as you can. Text messages, social media posts or even testimony from reliable witnesses can help your case – anything that proves your co-parent’s constant violation of the court-ordered parenting time plan.
What will happen next?
The court will assess the situation and respond accordingly. Your co-parent may be penalized for being in contempt of the court or the judge may modify the existing orders, among other possibilities.
The court’s response depends on the circumstances of the custody violation and the children’s best interests. For instance, the potential penalties for relocating with the children to a different state without prior approval are different from those for failing to adhere to visitation timelines.
Get the necessary help in enforcing custody orders
If your co-parent is uncooperative and unwilling to resolve such custody matters amicably, you may have no choice but to go to court. In such an instance, having proper counsel on the steps to take and what is needed for desirable results is beneficial.
