After a divorce, it can be difficult to adjust to the new schedule. When you have kids, you also have to add in the visitation schedule. At first, it may be hard for you to remember the schedule. You and your former spouse may have to set alarms and work to pick up and drop your kids off on time. What do you do if your ex constantly violates the visitation schedule? Are there steps that you can take to make sure that the order is enforced? Here is what you need to do.
Review the Schedule
Sometimes, visitation violations can indicate a problem with the schedule. If your former spouse’s work schedule changed, it could interfere with visitation. For example, if the other parent is consistently late dropping the kids off at school because of a work commitment or drops the kids off early because he or she has to return to work, then you may want to look at the schedule again. Creating a new schedule can help eliminate work conflicts.
Return to Court
If you cannot rewrite the visitation agreement, then you may need to return to court. If your ex is constantly violating the visitation schedule and if it has become drastically different than what the court ordered, you may want to return to the legal process to have it sorted out. When you go back through the court process, it is likely that child support payments may also be affected.
Call the Authorities
Calling the authorities should always be a last resort. In some instances, you may have to call the police if your ex is violating the visitation schedule. One of the most common reasons that parents have to get the police involved is when one parent withholds the child from the other. For instance, say that you have to pick up your kids at the end of the weekend and your former spouse refuses to hand them over. Maybe you have a meeting spot and no one shows up. If you have to, you can have the police enforce the order.
Sometimes, a visitation schedule can be difficult to adjust to, and parents can make mistakes regarding the schedule. Generally, you should take action if the violations are a regular occurrence or if you know that your ex is intentionally withholding your kids. To find out more about how to enforce your visitation schedule, contact an attorney, like a divorce attorney from The McKinney Law Group, today.