Legal Question in Family Law in California
Travel Expenses
My wife and I were divorced in Southern California several years ago. Prior to 2004, I lived only an hour away from my children, but since then I have relocated to Oregon. I have previously always paid the entire cost of travel expenses even when I moved to Oregon and had to pay over $250 for airline costs and still had to drive ten hours roundtrip to pick them up from the airport. In January this year, my ex-wfe moved our children to Arizona. The cost of travel expenses has at least doubled and she refuses to pay any portion of that bill. I in the past five months have been in financial hardship and have not been able to pay any child support due to an injury on the job. I am now back to work and will begin paying support once more. But I am not going to be able to pay my child support and save money for travel expenses as well. Can I ask the court to order her to help pay for the travel expenses? Is it unreasonable for me to ask for such a thing? We also disagree about what airports the children will be leaving and landing in.She wants an airport close to her home; however I want to fly them into a city that is closer to me, but the airline doesn't fly into my city of choice from her city of choice. Can the court intervene there
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Travel Expenses
Usually, travel expenses are split. Just because you have been paying more than you should does not mean you have to keep on doing so. You should seek a court order modifying support.
Re: Travel Expenses
YOUR QUESTION #1: Can I ask the court to order her to help pay for the travel expenses?
ANSWER: Yes, you can ask the court.
YOUR QUESTION #2: Is it unreasonable for me to ask for such a thing?
ANSWER: No, it is not unreasonable.
YOUR QUESTION #3: We also disagree about what airports the children will be leaving and landing in. Can the court intervene there?
ANSWER: Yes, the court can intervene.