No matter what your parenting time schedule looks like, you probably look forward to every minute you get to spend with your kids—but what happens when your ex doesn’t cooperate? Whether you’re in the middle of a divorce or you already have a custody agreement in place, your Durham divorce lawyer can help ensure that your ex sticks to the schedule so you can enjoy the time with your kids that you deserve.
My Ex is Refusing to Let Me See My Kids
There are few excuses for one parent to withhold children from the other. In fact, if your ex won’t let you see your own kids, he or she will have to provide a valid reason to the court. Your Durham divorce lawyer can help you if your ex tries to disrupt your relationship by preventing visitation.
Talking it Out
Your Durham divorce lawyer will probably suggest that you try talking to your ex to determine why he or she isn’t allowing you to see your kids. There may be a misunderstanding about the custody agreement or scheduling conflicts that you can work out on your own. Your ex may believe you’re not entitled to see the kids if you’re late paying child support, which is untrue, or that he or she has the right to decide whether you see them or not (that’s also untrue). Sometimes a simple conversation can resolve the issue.
What You Can—and Cannot—Do
Although it’s extremely frustrating to deal with an ex who won’t let you see your kids, there are right and wrong ways to correct the situation.
• You cannot withhold child support. Child support and visitation are two separate issues under the law.
• You cannot threaten your ex with violence. That’s against the law, and it could result in your ex getting a protective order against you.
• You can try to talk things out with your ex and fix the situation through conversation.
• You can reach out to your Durham divorce lawyer to file the appropriate motions through the court system to enforce your parenting time agreement.
How Your Durham Divorce Lawyer Can Help
Call your Durham divorce lawyer right away if your ex refuses to allow you to see your kids. Your attorney will probably have several questions for you, so answer them to the best of your ability. Once your lawyer understands exactly what’s going on, he or she can go to bat for you in the legal system so you can get the time you deserve with your kids.
