Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
visitation for child over 14 years old
In massachusetts when a child is over 14 years old and that child refuses to visit the noncustodial parent, can the court hold the custodial parent in contempt?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: visitation for child over 14 years old
Generally speaking, there would be no contempt, especially if the child feels very strongly. Sometimes it is necessary to have a family service officer from the court interview the child to verify that one parent is not playing games.
You are expected, however, not to encourage the child to stop visiting with the other parent. So when a child says, " I really don't feel like seeing dad," and the other parent says, "I know what you mean; I don't want to see him either," that could be considered contemptuous. The custodial parent has an obligation to encourage (but not force) a child to visit.
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