What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Arkansas
I have a 4 year old daughter (I also have a 2 month old but she doesn't have the same dad). Her dad hasn't been in her life much at all. He has only come to see her 3 times her entire life (he lives 6 hours away) and the other times he's seen her, about once a year, is when I took her up where he lives. He does pay child support, but that's the only contribution to raising her he has offered. So obviously she does not know him one bit.
He is now interested in having visitation with her. I have tried to make an agreement with him about visitation but he won't agree to anything I offer. My only "requirement" is that he form a relationship with her before he can take her on overnights. I asked that he come down here where she is most comfortable (not forever just until she has a bond with him and at least knows who he is). He refused. He wants us to have 30/70 custody (his words). He wants her 1/3 of the month starting now.
Paternity has been established, child support was set up, but there is no visitation plan. I have full legal/physical custody.
What is a reasonable and fair visitation plan? I want to have something to offer if we go to mediation (will we automatically go to mediation or will we go straight to a judge?). I want to come up with something that is fair and that will allow them to have a good relationship, but I don't want to "give in" and risk my child's emotion well being by shipping her off with someone she doesn't know for an extended amount of time.
Thank you in advance for any advice/help you offer.
Danielle
I have a 4 year old daughter (I also have a 2 month old but she doesn't have the same dad). Her dad hasn't been in her life much at all. He has only come to see her 3 times her entire life (he lives 6 hours away) and the other times he's seen her, about once a year, is when I took her up where he lives. He does pay child support, but that's the only contribution to raising her he has offered. So obviously she does not know him one bit.
He is now interested in having visitation with her. I have tried to make an agreement with him about visitation but he won't agree to anything I offer. My only "requirement" is that he form a relationship with her before he can take her on overnights. I asked that he come down here where she is most comfortable (not forever just until she has a bond with him and at least knows who he is). He refused. He wants us to have 30/70 custody (his words). He wants her 1/3 of the month starting now.
Paternity has been established, child support was set up, but there is no visitation plan. I have full legal/physical custody.
What is a reasonable and fair visitation plan? I want to have something to offer if we go to mediation (will we automatically go to mediation or will we go straight to a judge?). I want to come up with something that is fair and that will allow them to have a good relationship, but I don't want to "give in" and risk my child's emotion well being by shipping her off with someone she doesn't know for an extended amount of time.
Thank you in advance for any advice/help you offer.
Danielle