Southern California Visitation Lawyers

Enforcing a Child Custody or Visitation Order

Most parents stick to parenting plans that work for them. Unfortunately, there are parents out there who are irresponsible about keeping custody or visitation appointments, or deny visitation to "get back" at the other parent. If you are consistently having trouble getting the time with your children that you're entitled to, you can take legal action to enforce your custody and visitation rights.

First, if the other party has missed their scheduled visitation on more than one occasion, you may want to address the problem by changing your custody or visitation plan. If you don't feel that you can talk to the other parent directly, or if he/she is not responsive, the experienced California family-law attorneys at Wallin & Klarich will negotiate with the other parent, or his or her lawyer. Having an experienced, knowledgeable advocate on your side shows the other parent that you're serious about enforcing your parental rights and allows a knowledgeable advocate to negotiate and fight for a visitation schedule that is more desirable to you.

If you're sure that the other parent is intentionally withholding visitation or custody, you can take several legal actions. If you believe the other parent is withholding or trying to kidnap your children, you should go to the police, a district attorney in your area as soon as possible or file for an ex parte (emergency) hearing. An Orange County child custody attorney at Wallin && Klarich can help you petition the court for a temporary immediate change due to the other parent's dangerous and irresponsible behavior. After the ex parte hearing, the court will set a follow-up court date, where an experienced Wallin & Klarich attorney can assist you in getting a permanent order.

If the other parent's interference with custody is less drastic, you should file for contempt of court. Custody orders are court orders -- which means that people who violate them can be held in contempt of court. In California, a parent found guilty of violating a family-law court order can be held in county jail, be fined or ordered to do community service. In order to prove that the other parent has violated a custody or visitation order, you'll have to show that he or she was fully aware of the order and intentionally did not follow it. The Los Angeles child custody lawyers at Wallin & Klarich can help you find evidence to prove your claim and back it up in court.

Some parents find themselves on the receiving end of efforts to enforce a custody or visitation order. This often happens when one parent withholds visitation because the other has not paid child support. Some parents believe that this is legal, but it's not -- you cannot legally deny visitation because the other parent missed payments. If you do, you risk being sent to jail for contempt of court. Withholding visitation can also hurt you in any future custody dispute, because the other parent can use it as evidence that you did not act in the best interests of your children. If you've made this type of mistake, Wallin & Klarich can defend you in court and explain your reasons. Our Southern California child custody lawyers can also help you get missed child support payments with a contempt-of-court order of your own, or other legal measures.

Just like the original custody order, all of the parents' future decisions should be made with the best interests of the children in mind. If the other parent in your case isn't keeping the bargain, Wallin & Klarich can help. Based in Tustin, we have helped people throughout Southern California with child custody problems, divorces and other family law matters since 1977. We have a deep knowledge of California family law -- and just as importantly, we have extensive experience with the courts and judges that decide custody cases. We promise to use that knowledge and experience to get the best possible outcome for you and your children. And because we know that custody matters can be stressful, we are committed to always being there with an answer when you call -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and every day of the year.

For a free consultation on enforcing a custody order or other custody matters, call Wallin & Klarich today at 1-888-290-5379 or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

If you're facing a child custody matter, you need an experienced, effective family lawyer on your side -- like the expert Southern California family law attorneys at Wallin & Klarich. Whether you need an hour in our offices or full representation in court, we're committed to helping your family get the best possible outcome to custody disputes. For a free consultation with Wallin & Klarich family law attorneys, call us today at 1-888-290-5379 or fill out our confidential case evaluation form online. We'll be here for you, whenever you call.