Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
A relative of mine has had temporary custody of my 3 daughters for the past 6 years. My visitations has been put on hold for the last 5 years. We have not been summoned back to court for a review yet.My daughters have been wanting to communicate with me. My 17 year old is afraid of getting into trouble if she is caught talking to or texting me. Does my relative have the right to keep my daughter from talking to me? If not, what can be done solve this issue?
1 Answer from Attorneys
You didn't indicate the basis on which your visitations have been "on hold". Unless there is a court order specifically prohibiting you from speaking with your daughters, your relative cannot legally prevent such communication. Your 17 year old is certainly old enough to make this decision on her own. In fact, if you wish to regain custody and she, and perhaps your younger daughters, depending on their age, want to resume living with you, you could probably successfully file a petition to modify custody. Of course, this assumes that the issues that brought about the change of custody 6 years ago have changed for the better.