What Should I Do if the Other Parent Is Not Complying with the Custody Order?

Resolving child custody terms is challenging under the best of circumstances. Once you have the order in hand, however, it can afford you the peace of mind that comes from knowing the issue is settled. If, on the other hand, your ex refuses to comply, it’s a very different matter. Because your child custody arrangements are of primary concern, reaching out to our experienced Lancaster child custody attorney at the Law Office of Stephen W. Grosh is an important early move.

Child Custody Terms Are Based on Your Children’s Well-Being

Child custody cases are heard at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, and the court’s focus is always on the involved children’s best interests. The orders you have in place reflect what’s best for your children, and they are legally binding, which means your noncompliant ex is on the wrong side of the law.

If you have addressed the matter with them and they continue to defy the child custody terms that are in place, it’s time to take action. A trusted Lancaster child custody lawyer can help.

Retaliation Is Not the Answer

While you may be tempted to retaliate against your ex’s noncompliance in some way, it’s not the answer. For example, if you have a child support obligation, stopping your payments until your visitation schedule is restored will not help your cause. And refusing visitation until your children’s other parent upholds the schedule only amplifies the problem.

Both child support and child custody are determined in accordance with what best serves your children’s developmental and emotional needs. When your ex refuses to follow the child custody order, it doesn’t support your children’s best interests. And if you withhold child support, it harms them in a different way. Further, if you deny visitation, it amounts to a snowball effect in terms of child custody.

Document the Issue

If your ex refuses to comply with the child custody order, it’s important to document each incident. This means keeping copies of any communications between the two of you, including jotting down notes after any calls, and noting each specific failure to observe the child custody terms. This step will provide you with the evidence you need to build a strong case that supports your rights as a parent.

Filing a Petition for Enforcement

Simply hearing from your knowledgeable child custody attorney may be all that’s needed to inspire the other parent to follow the terms handed down by the court. If not, however, it may be time to file a Petition for Civil Contempt for Disobedience of a Custody Order.

This will bring the matter before the court, which can lead to consequences like the following:

• Affording you additional parenting time to make up for lost time
• Mandating that your ex take parenting classes
• Ordering your ex to pay your legal fees
• Issuing fines against your ex
• Sentencing your ex to jail time (in an extreme case)

Our Experienced Lancaster Child Custody Lawyer Cares about You and Your Case

Steven Grosh at the Law Office of Stephen W. Grosh is a compassionate Lancaster child custody attorney who will spare no effort in pursuit of a favorable resolution of your child custody concerns. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 717-208-4599 today.