Buckhead Child Custody Enforcement Lawyer

It is tough on children when parents divorce or separate. Parents can ease their children’s adjustment by adhering to the court-ordered parenting plan, which sets rules for the parents’ conduct around the children and sets a schedule for parenting time.

It is vital to act swiftly when one parent consistently violates the plan. Speak with a Buckhead child custody enforcement lawyer at our firm if your coparent is noncompliant with the custody agreement. Our legal professionals can advise you on the most effective tactics to remedy the problem, and if necessary, they can go to court to enforce the parenting plan.

Common Parenting Plan Violations

Co-parenting requires an adjustment period for children and their parents. There are bound to be hiccoughs like an occasional late pick-up or drop off, or a child not being cooperative. However, addressing these seemingly small problems immediately is critical to avoid them morphing into serious disruptions.

Your children’s adjustment to their parents living apart depends on structure, reliability, and buy-in from both parents. When one parent’s behavior erodes one of those elements, children may have a harder time coping.

When a schedule tweak will solve a parenting plan compliance problem, you and your coparent should discuss the issue and implement the change. Minor changes you both agree to usually can be accomplished without the need for a court modification of the plan, but it is always wise to check with one of our custody attorneys enforcement in Buckhead to be sure.

Resolving Parenting Plan Violations Out of Court

Georgia family court judges do not look favorably on parents who cannot resolve issues without turning to the courts. Parents are expected to work cooperatively to reach agreements that support their children’s well-being.

Issues like chronic tardiness, frequent requests for schedule changes, or minor violations of the rules the parents set for visits could be resolved through direct discussions between the parents. When they do not communicate effectively, a mediator could be helpful.

Involving a Buckhead custody enforcement attorney is sometimes wise. A legal professional could write a letter to the offending parent which is sometimes enough to change their behavior. If not, making the other parent’s attorney aware of the problem sometimes helps.

Situations That Might Require Court Intervention

When Georgia courts issue a custody order, the judge believes the parenting plan contained in the order serves the best interests of the children. Frequent or substantial violations of the order are harmful to the children, and it is sometimes necessary to ask the court to address them.

Repeatedly canceling parenting time or refusing to hand the children over for scheduled parenting time is a violation of the court’s order. A court motion to enforce the order is appropriate in these cases and in other situations, such as:

• A parent threatens or acts violently toward the coparent
• One parent disparages the other in front of the children
• Unauthorized third parties are present during parenting time
• Violations of rules regarding alcohol or drug use during parenting time
• Attempts to alienate the children from the other parent

One of our Buckhead custody attorneys could advise you on whether a motion to enforce the parenting plan is appropriate in a specific case.

The Official Code of Georgia §19-9-3(d) makes it the state’s policy that contact with both parents is in the children’s best interests, but the presumption can be overcome. When a parent is interfering with the parenting plan in a way that negatively impacts the children, a family court judge can limit or restrict the offending parent’s access.

Contact a Buckhead Attorney About Parental Timesharing Violations

Adjusting to co-parenting from separate residences is hard on parents and children alike. It is up to the parents to set a good example and help the children adjust. If your coparent is being uncooperative, you must act.

Talk to one of our Buckhead child custody enforcement lawyers about the problem. They can advise you about the most effective action to take in your specific circumstances.

Do not try to handle repeated custody violations alone. Set up an appointment with a member of our intake team today.