Legal Question in Family Law in California
Manipulation of visitation rights by a teenager and father
I have a 16 yr old daughter who chose to live with her father (same city) last year. Through mediation, visitation was changed to 80/20 (fathers favor) but joint custody remained 50/50.
On the weekends she is to be with me, if I tell her she may not go somewhere (i.e.: a party), she will choose - against my wishes- to stay at her father's that weekend and he allows her to go.
Her father has used this tactic several times taking away all of my parental effectiveness. He states he cannot make her go to my house and if he does not agree with my decisions, since he has 50% custody, he does not have to comply with my decisions.
Is there a way to stop this from happening so I can retain some sort of parental control, or is it out of my hands due to her age and his share of custody?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Manipulation of visitation rights by a teenager and father
She is at a difficult age and your influence will decrease as she get older. However, she is using the oldest trick in the book playing one parent against the other. To stop this would require father's cooperation. You should discuss this with him, if that is possible. If discussion either does not work or is not possible, then you should request a court order for co-parenting counseling. Your daughter's best interests are not being served by the present course of action. Act quickly as your sphere of influence is diminishing because of her growing up.
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