When a judge makes a decision regarding
child custody, it carries the force of law. Because of this, parents must comply with
the terms of the established court order or face strict legal consequences.
If a parent fails to cooperate, there are several legal measures that
can be taken to ensure that the custody arrangement is enforced.
Keep Copies of Your Parenting Agreement
If you need to
enforce custody orders, you should first inform proper parties of the details of your situation.
This precaution can help reduce the risk of an unforeseen incident. It
is important that you and anyone involved with your custody or visitation
agreement keep copies of the agreement for reference, and that any changes
to your custody arrangement are accurately recorded and shared with all
appropriate parties. Frequently used babysitters, relatives, or anyone
else who is substantially involved with your children should be aware
of who is authorized to interact with your kids so they can plan accordingly.
Contact Law Enforcement
If a parent ignores the established court order, you can contact your local
police department and request that they enforce the court’s decision.
In addition, you can seek to involve the county district attorney’s
office’s Child Abduction and Recovery Unit for further support.
To be clear,
this method should only be used if the other parent is in violation of
your custody order or refusing to allow you to see your child during your
court ordered window of time.
File for Contempt
If you are able to provide evidence that the other parent has deliberately
disobeyed the court’s wishes, an action for “contempt”
can be filed with the court. If the action is approved, the court will
order the noncompliant parent to adhere to the custody arrangement or
face stringent penalties, including the possibility of serving jail time
for their infraction. Keeping a journal or calendar with specific recorded
times where issues occurred can help strengthen your claim. It is necessary
that you seek the guidance of a skilled attorney from our firm if an action
of contempt is needed, as the process can be quite complex.
We Can Help Enforce Your Custody Arrangement
If you are struggling to achieve cooperation from a noncompliant parent, a
Riverside divorce lawyer from Hanson, Gorian, Bradford & Hanich can help. With more than 5,000
family law cases under our belt, we can provide you with time-tested legal
representation to help solve your family struggle.
Complete a free case evaluation
or call our office today at (951) 506-6654 to discuss your situation with
an experienced family lawyer from our firm.
Child Custody: Recommended Reading
To learn more about child custody arrangements in California, visit the
following pages: