Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

Forced visitation

My 14 year old daughter has not visited her father in 2 years, although legally he has joint custody and visitation.(He left her at a police station for me to pick her up due an an arguement which she was having with him, the last time she visited him.) He has threatened to go to court to force her to visit. He abused her when she was little (some physical and a great deal of verbal. The verbal continues to this day whenever he speaks to her on the phone or at one of her brothers activities) but he has not touched her in 2 years since she does not visit him. She does not want to resume any type of relationship with him, but finds it difficult to describe why or prove the verbal abuse since he denies it. She has been in therapy 2 times with him,(the most recent in 2003) but it has failed due to his inability to follow the recommendations. Is there an age when the court will most likely not force her to visit even if she can't prove the verbal and/or emotional abuse?


Asked on 9/13/05, 12:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

Re: Forced visitation

Generally in a situation like this the courts order counseling to see if there can be a reunification. However, if he does not comply with the recommendations of the counselor then generally the court will not force the issue. Although there is no specific age when a child can decide whether to visit, no one can force her, regardless. Many times the court, upon the request of one of the parties or on its own, will appoint an attorney for the child. There is no reason to do anything at this point so long as he is not filing anything with the court.

Read more
Answered on 9/14/05, 8:44 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Connecticut