Thousands of families in Georgia are subject to custody orders that determine when parents see their children and how parents can handle decision-making matters concerning them. For the vast majority of families, shared parenting time is best for children, so that will be what a judge orders if parents don’t agree to such arrangements on their own.
Even if it can be a challenge at first, most co-parents in Georgia find a way to work with one another when sharing custody. They fall into a routine of regular custody exchanges and become friendlier with one another over time.
However, there are some parents who really resent the requirement to share parenting time. They may take matters into their own hands and refuse to let the children go with the other parent despite the terms of a custody order. Filing a custody enforcement action is sometimes necessary for a parent who is not getting the time with their children that they deserve.
How enforcement actions work
When a parent claims that the other has violated the custody order, they will typically need to have documentation showing canceled visits or shortened parenting sessions. They can then request a hearing in front of a family law judge.
A judge will have the option of potentially ordering makeup parenting time. They could also alter the custody order in a scenario where a parent maliciously violates the custody order or does so repeatedly without regard to the impact their actions may have on the children. In some cases, failure to abide by a parenting plan might even lead to contempt of court claims against a parent.
Keeping records of denied visits and speaking up about violations of a parenting plan can help those who share custody of their children better protect their parental rights and the well-being of their relationships with their children.
