Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Re: visitation for college student who is 17

Short answer is no, he can't make her travel to see him. Think about it this way, when he has visitation while she's at home the law doesn't require that you bring her to see him. Instead he must come pick her up. My guess is that either she drives or you have arranged a mutually convenient spot for the exchange.

The whole idea of visitation and custodial arrangements is to benefit the child and provide for the nurturement and growth of that child by exposure to both parents. That is supposed to promote the well being of the child. Seeing a non-custodial parent is supposed to be a benefit to the child not a burden.

There is nothing he can do to force her to come to him, he _must_ travel to her if he wishes to see her. The only option he potentially has is to seek an order preventing her relocation and I think the odds against that request being granted are very, very high.

My suggestion would be to sit down with each and find a solution that they can accept. Such as him visiting her at college on his weekends, or maybe even travelling with her. Meet her in different cities to explore. Get creative and make it something to which they will look forward. The alternative for him is that he will see less and less of her and eventually only as much as she desires.

And I do have another thought for you. He is paying fully half of the tab for college isn't he?

Regards and good luck,

Roger Traversa

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PS - Remember me for all your legal needs.