Possibly one of the biggest challenges in life for some parents is getting the other parent to abide by a child custody court order. An attorney can help you understand how to get child custody. A lawyer can help you enforce a custody order as well.
Keep Detailed Records
Remember to keep detailed records on everything regarding your child custody case. Should you need to take legal action to enforce the order, you can submit your records to the judge to help make your case. Things you might not think matter to the judge or would not affect your case could be a bigger deal than you think.
Below are some examples of records you might save and keep organized for use in your case.
- Printouts of messages exchanged between both parents
- Amounts and frequency of child support payments received or paid
- A journal that details pickup times and dates, along with missed parenting times
- Medical bills submitted but not paid by the other party
- Letters from doctors, teachers, or other professionals who know the child and have input regarding the custody case
Also keep on hand a copy of the original court order that outlined the custody and child support arrangement. You can refer to this document to determine if the other parent is violating it, and share it with your attorney if you need help enforcing it.
Where to Turn When a Parent Disobeys a Court Order
If the other parent does not obey the court order set forth by the judge, there are actually a few steps that you can take. Consider asking your local police department for help enforcing the court order, ask the attorney general for assistance, or make the courts aware of the problem by filing an order of contempt.
While each of these options can be tricky and may have long-lasting effects, they are better options than sitting back and doing nothing while the children pay the price. Contact a law firm familiar with family law and that understands how to get child custody and enforce the resulting order. A lawyer can help you decide what route is best based on your particular set of circumstances.
How the Attorney General Can Help Enforce a Custody Order
The Office of Attorney General and the Family Judges of Dallas County began the County Authority for Response Enforcement (C.A.R.E.) in October of 2005. The goal of the program is to assist parents by enforcing regular child support payments before large arrearages build up. They also aim to maintain a high standard of living for the children of single or divorced parents.
The Attorney General also has the Child Support Program in the state of Texas. They can help locate a missing parent, require proof of biological parents, and strictly enforce child support and medical payments. These services are free to Plano residents, as they are funded by the state and federal government.
The goal is to do what is in the best interest of the children that are involved with each case. To do their job, they request that both parents participate in submitting paperwork, updating the court on their whereabouts with a current address, show up for scheduled court dates, and make timely child support payments.
Get Help from Warren & Migliaccio
The bottom line is that no matter what the child custody issue is, if one parent is not fulfilling his or her duties in terms of parenting time or support payments, there is help available. Warren & Migliaccio helps Plano parents understand how to get a court order for child custody, helps with the process, and can help enforce the order when necessary. Call us at 888-584-9614 or use the form on our contact page.