Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia
14 yr old wants visitation flexibility w/father
At age 14, my children now would like to have some decisions about visitation with their dad. He has 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends,
every Wednesday, and holiday visits.
I have an attorney who informs me there is no way to alter this arrangement.
The children really want some control - their dad is not willing to change the schedule at all.
Unless he needs to. He quotes our divorce papers instead of thinking of the kids.
I believe we would all benefit from some new guidelines.
Their dad won't let them call me when they are with him. If it is his weekend and I go to their sports activities, he and his wife tell the kids not to speak to me. If I speak to the kids, they get lectured the entire weekend.
Would someone please help us?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: 14 yr old visitation flexibility
The answer to your question probably depends on the judge. Fourteen year olds can elect who they want to live with subject to the approval of the Court. Some judges will make them visit though. i recently had a case similar to your and the child told the judge in no uncertain terms he did not want to visit with his father due in part to father's past failure to keep promises and father's new wife. Judge said you need to go and required the boy to see a counselor. Wellthe boy went and the father again did same thing boy complained of and refused to go. judge then did not make the child go. I would make it absolutely clear that you are not the one that is keeping the child from going. i would urge you to urge the child to go. have the child tell the fathe rthey are not coming and why. Most importantly, have the child tell some uninterested thrid party like school counselor why.
You would probably not be held in contempt of court in this situation and that after all is the only conern becuase the judge will not put a child in jail.
Michael Flinn
Law Offices of T. Michael Flinn
402 Tanner St.
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