Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Child Custody, Divorce, Visitation and Access
Navigating Child Custody Rights: How to Handle a Child’s Reluctance to Visit the Non-Custodial Parent
Parental custody of a child who doesn’t want it creates a difficult position for everyone involved. As a custodial parent, it’s your responsibility to foster a relationship between your child and their father even if your relationship with their father is strained. But as you surely know, it can be difficult to convince a child or teenager to do anything they do not want to do. It will be you, the parent, who faces repercussions for your child’s refusal to visit with a parent who has child custody rights.
Potential Repercussions
As a custodial parent, you can be found in contempt for failure to comply with the court’s visitation order. Parents found in contempt may be forced to pay fines, attorney’s fees, and can face up to six months in jail per violation. Family law judges do not take kindly to parents being unable to visit with their children and a finding of contempt reflects very badly on you as a parent in any future litigation involving the child. Learn more about Texas child custody laws for a better understanding of potential risks.
You can’t physically make a teenager get into a vehicle and you probably don’t want visitation to be a point of contention in your relationship with your child, but you need to remember that you are the adult and visitation is not up to the child. The judge won’t punish the child for their refusal to visit with a parent with child custody rights, those repercussions will come down on you.
Finding a Solution
So what can you do? If you have a decent relationship with your ex, it can be helpful to present a united front to your child. If you do not have a relationship with your ex, it’s important to stress to your child that both parents are a part of their life and that their refusal to visit with the other parent opens you up to liability for their actions according to Texas child custody laws.
A Resource for Additional Help
The experienced attorneys of the Ramos Law Group practice family law exclusively. They can help you navigate the most difficult aspects of child custody rights to the most beneficial arrangement for your family. If you are having issues with your current custody arrangement or have further questions, please contact the Ramos Law Group, PLLC.
Last Updated on August 8, 2023 by Mary E. Ramos
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