Custody battles can be emotionally taxing, and even after a court has issued a custody order, challenges in co-parenting may arise. One common issue occurs when one parent refuses to allow the other parent their court-ordered parenting time with the child. This situation can be both frustrating and distressing, but there are legal options available to enforce a custody order and uphold your rights as a parent.

There are various steps a parent can take to enforce a custody order. Some states offer specific forms online for parents without attorneys to file in their custody case. For instance, the Missouri court website includes instructions and a form for filing Motions for Family Access. However, enforcing a custody order can be a long and complex process, and it’s strongly recommended that the parent being denied parenting time hire an experienced family law attorney.

A family law attorney can provide you with the legal guidance needed to navigate your custody dispute effectively. An attorney may file a motion to find the other parent in contempt or to modify the custody order. Additionally, an experienced attorney may pursue other remedies to help resolve the dispute, such as mediation.

No parent should be denied their rightful time with their child, and no child should be caught in the middle of a custody dispute. If you’re facing challenges with enforcing a custody order, it’s important to take action to protect your relationship with your child. Whether through court intervention, communication, or legal assistance, there are steps you can take to ensure that your custody order is respected and followed.

The choice of a lawyer is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.