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Reestablishing and Increasing Visitation
It's a safe bet that every parent wanted to be with his or her children
during this past holiday season. Unfortunately, it is just as certain that
many were unable to be with their children because of a one-sided custody
arrangement. As usual, I received many calls from parents asking for advise
as to what they could do to re-establish a regular custody schedule with
their children and to establish some visitation during the holidays. I
often hear my client complain: “My Ex always makes it difficult to see the
kids, they always have some sort of excuse not to let me see them.”
Additionally, clients often feel that their court orders are vague and do
not specify which holidays and vacations should be spent with each parent.
I would like to offer some suggestions as to how to assert your right to
visitation and see your children on a more regular basis.
Seeking a change in custody or visitation is a long process and a big
commitment, both emotionally and financially. Should you choose to seek
such a change, you must realize that the process may take several months.
You won't be able to get custody of your child during the next holiday
season if you commence your action one or two weeks before the holidays.
But don't let the bureaucratic roadblocks discourage you! Your efforts will
be rewarded for many years to come, as you will play a larger role in your
child's life.
In order to maximize your change or success, you should begin planning your
strategy in consultation with an attorney several months in advance of the
holiday or vacation. If you are unable to afford an attorney, you may want
to consult with a paralegal, or perhaps you can find an attorney who is
willing to work with you on a “consulting basis.”
The legal system that creates custody and visitation arrangements is an
imperfect one, and it only takes a minimal amount of creativity for a
parent with primary custody to find ways to thwart your visitation.
Furthermore, going to court to get a finding of contempt in order to force
your former spouse to cooperate often irritates judges who already have
full calendars. You have already been in court once to resolve your
dissolution, so judges tend to wonder why you are back again. Therefore, I
would advise that you think long and hard before going back into court, and
only do so when there is serious interference with your visitation and you
have given it your best shot to resolve the matter with your ex informally.
Still, where a parent has intentionally and systematically thwarted
visitation and it is unlikely that you will be able to have a
heart-to-heart talk with the hostile former spouse and reach a fair
agreement, you only solution may be to take the problem to court.
While it is possible to obtain sanctions and/or findings or contempt,
these measures do not ultimately solve your problem, which is that you have
been denied visitation with your child. Many judges do not award such
sanctions until the parent with primary custody has been hauled into court
two or three times and has a history or violation court orders. Rarely will
a judge order your former spouse to jail for contempt. Thus, while I often
use contempt and sanctions as part of my practice, I put a larger emphasis
on increasing and defining more clearly my client's custody with their
children.
As you are probably aware, all court orders regarding custody and
visitation are subject to continuing court jurisdiction and later
modification. Under California law, for example, a parent may request a
change in visitation or custody where there are substantial changed
"circumstances". Examples of these include family emergencies, change in
employment or health, and denial of visitation. In deciding such a request
for modification, the court must consider the “best interest of the child.”
The procedure for obtaining modification is started by filing an Order to
Show Cause (“OSC”) for modification with the court and serving it upon the
former spouse. If it is to your advantage, you may wish to file for a
change in child support concurrently with your custody modification. You
will also need to attach a written declaration to your OSC detailing the
reasons that you seek the modification.
Long before filing the OSC, you should prepare by documenting any problems
that you or your child has had with your ex-spouse, and any changes in
circumstances. The following are some factors to consider and things that
you should begin the document long before seeking any modification:
Frustration of Visitation: Is your ex-spouse frustrating your
court-ordered visitation and denying you contact with your child?
School Performance: How is your child performing in school? Investigate
your child's performance by interviewing his or her teachers. Is the
child's homework getting done? Do the teachers notice any unusual behavior?
Home Environment: Is your child being provided with a stable and healthy
home environment? Are there any problems with child abuse, drugs, smoking,
or any other conditions in the home? Does your ex-spouse and her new
companion behave appropriately when the child is present? Does you child
receive proper supervision?
Discipline and Punishment: Is corporal punishment being inflicted upon your
child? Is this punishment at the level of abuse? Is the child being
punished by someone other than the parent?
Fitness of the Ex-spouse as a Parent: Has the ex-spouse committed any
crimes? Has your ex-spouse committed any Driving While Intoxicated
offenses? Does your ex-spouse smoke marijuana or engage in some other kind
of substance abuse? Does the ex-spouse have mental or medical difficulties
that impair their ability as a parent.
Employment: Is the ex-spouse employed? Are the children always in daycare
or the care of relatives? Are you more available to spend time with the
children? Has a change in your employment increased the amount of time with
the children? Has a change in your employment increased the amount of time
you can devote to your children?
Geographic Distance: Do you now live closer to the children and can see
them more often than you previously could?
While the list above is far from complete, it should get you thinking as
to some of the circumstances that would justify a modification in
visitation and/or custody. You should try to document as many of there
behaviors and circumstances as possible prior to going into court for
modification. Another important goal it to modify the custody order to be
more specific regarding holidays and vacation. Often, the existing order is
somewhat vague as to which parent will have the child during holidays and
vacations. Under these circumstances, I advise my clients to seek a more
specific “parenting plan”. One example of how you could create a more structured
plan on odd numbered years and with the other parent on even-numbered
years. Your attorney or your local court's mediation department can help
you in drafting this kind of plan. A specific parenting plan will help
prevent your ex-spouse from “making excuses” in order to deny you
visitation, and will provide you with a definite order which if violated
will be a good basis for seeking contempt.
My office has been successful in helping many parents to increase their
visitation with , and custody of, their children. Of course, each
situation is different, and I urge that you consult with an attorney
regarding your specific case.
©1998 LawTek Media Group, LLC
and Aaron Dishon, Esq.
all rights reserved
(The preceeding information is advertising; as defined in and pursuant to Article 9.5 of the California Business and Professions Code)
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