Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

Visitation and Transportation

My ex and I got divorced in Cape Girardeau, MO. She moved to Jackson, MO, and I moved two hours away to St. Charles, MO. In our divorce decree, it does not say anything about transportation for custody visitation. I have two children. She has full legal custody, and I have visitation rights (every other weekend). She does not want to share in the transportation - she wants me to come pick them up at her house and bring them back to her house, which means 2 hours down and 2 hours back to pick them up, and 2 hours down and 2 hours back to take them home. I would like the mother to share in the transportation and meet me half way each time so that I get more time ''in the house'' with them rather than ''on the road'' time. Is this a reasonable request? Every time I ask her if she can meet me half way, she always says she has something else to do so she can't. What is the law about sharing the transportation duties and costs for child custody visitation in Missouri?


Asked on 10/24/02, 7:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Reiter

Re: Visitation and Transportation

Typically, costs of transporting the children are split between the custodial and non-custodial parents. Your problem is illustrative of the reason to have a very specific parenting plan approved by the court. I would tell the custodial parent that she is expected to share in the transportation time and costs. Unfortunately, if she still fails to comply your only option is to file a motion with the court to require her to do so. Your attorney might be able to convince her to assist in the transportation but many times unreasonable parents will refuse to change their actions until the court threatens them with an order of contempt.

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Answered on 10/24/02, 11:24 am


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