In a perfect world, parents always abide by the child custody orders laid out by the court. Even when they do not get along, they know that it is the best thing to do for the children.
In reality, though, parents sometimes attempt to interfere with each other’s custody orders. It is important to know that this occurs so that you will be able to react properly if it happens to you. Below are seven examples of custodial interference:
- Refusing to allow the other parent to take the child for visitation or to switch custody
- Refusing to agree on a definition for “reasonable” visitation, if the court order only says that access must be reasonable and does not specify what this means
- Cutting off visitation with excuses right before it is supposed to occur — for instance, calling to say that the child came down with an illness or that they forgot about other plans
- Not taking the child to the location where the exchange is supposed to happen.
- Actively influencing the child to turn him or her against the other parent, thereby getting the child to refuse to switch homes or attend visitation.
- Ignoring all requests that the other parent makes to take the child to special events, like a father-daughter dance or a family reunion.
- Breaking the set schedule by always being late and hindering the other parent’s ability to pick up or drop off the child.
If any of these child custody issues has been happening to you and you believe that your parental rights are being violated, make sure that you know what legal options you have.
