WHAT CAN I DO IF MY EX WITHHOLDS MY CHILD VISITATION
While a child visitation agreement establishes the amount of time that a child spends with each parent, there are many cases when custodial parents—without any cause whatsoever—prevent noncustodial parents from seeing their kids for weeks, months, and even years.
The following are the steps you can take to stop the custodial parent from withholding child visitation:
• Keep track of any missed visitation time – Any time visitation was denied, you should record the dates in a calendar, notebook, or even an online document. Additionally, keep copies of any correspondence with your ex-spouse.
• Attempt to resolve the issue on your own – Before taking any legal action against your ex-spouse, at least try to amicably work things out. Attempt to schedule make-up dates for any lost time.
• Let your attorney handle the situation –A lawyer can draft an official letter stating that the interference with visitation is unacceptable and you are willing to go to court to enforce your rights. This might be enough to encourage your ex-spouse to comply.
• Go to court – If your ex-spouse continues to withhold support, despite sending the letter, you can raise the issue before a judge. By filing a motion to enforce, the court will issue an order to make up any time missed, as well as order the cost of court and attorney fees to your ex.
Remember, withholding child support as retaliation is never a good idea.
