What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
I have primary custody of children; ex has standard visitation but never exercises because he lives in California. He said after much back and forth over months that he was picking up our 13 and 11 year olds to attend a very small immediate family reunion in Florida. He lied the whole time, even going so far as to say to only pack 5-6 days' worth of clothing. He was to pick up yesterday, 6/15, and bring them back next week Wednesday, 6/20 because son can only miss 3 days of an academic summer program he's currently attending at the local college to receive high school credit.
Son called today that they are in West Texas headed to California. As soon as they left with him yesterday, he told the kids they aren't returning until 7/27! Now I know why he was acting so strangely when he came to the door to pick them up. He refused to come inside to carry their suitcases, saying they could carry them out of the house. Don't know if he was advised about some law that he would be considered extracting them as opposed to my willingly allowing them to leave (that is neither here nor there, I understand - it was just weird behavior). My main question is what recourse do I have to prevent this in the future? I have lost my divorce decree, so I don't know exactly what it says. I know the part about summer visitation is standard and standard in Texas as follows: "If written notice is given by April 1 – possession of the child for a total of thirty (42) days, provided that such visit must end at least seven (7) days prior to the end of summer vacation. If without written notice by April 1, possession from 6:00 p.m. June 15 to 6:00 p.m. on July 27. It should be noted that the other parent can designate either one (1) weekend for possession during the summer if the visit is thirty (30) days or less, or two (2) weekends if the visit is more than thirty (30) days by giving notice of the date by April 15."
He never gave written notice/request, just phone contact to discuss visitation. We had an agreement over the phone but he did something completely different when he picked them up. Can a court hold him in contempt for anything in your opinion? Can I take him back to court over this? I am going to local courthouse Monday to get copy of my divorce decree and file a police report. Thanks in advance.
I have primary custody of children; ex has standard visitation but never exercises because he lives in California. He said after much back and forth over months that he was picking up our 13 and 11 year olds to attend a very small immediate family reunion in Florida. He lied the whole time, even going so far as to say to only pack 5-6 days' worth of clothing. He was to pick up yesterday, 6/15, and bring them back next week Wednesday, 6/20 because son can only miss 3 days of an academic summer program he's currently attending at the local college to receive high school credit.
Son called today that they are in West Texas headed to California. As soon as they left with him yesterday, he told the kids they aren't returning until 7/27! Now I know why he was acting so strangely when he came to the door to pick them up. He refused to come inside to carry their suitcases, saying they could carry them out of the house. Don't know if he was advised about some law that he would be considered extracting them as opposed to my willingly allowing them to leave (that is neither here nor there, I understand - it was just weird behavior). My main question is what recourse do I have to prevent this in the future? I have lost my divorce decree, so I don't know exactly what it says. I know the part about summer visitation is standard and standard in Texas as follows: "If written notice is given by April 1 – possession of the child for a total of thirty (42) days, provided that such visit must end at least seven (7) days prior to the end of summer vacation. If without written notice by April 1, possession from 6:00 p.m. June 15 to 6:00 p.m. on July 27. It should be noted that the other parent can designate either one (1) weekend for possession during the summer if the visit is thirty (30) days or less, or two (2) weekends if the visit is more than thirty (30) days by giving notice of the date by April 15."
He never gave written notice/request, just phone contact to discuss visitation. We had an agreement over the phone but he did something completely different when he picked them up. Can a court hold him in contempt for anything in your opinion? Can I take him back to court over this? I am going to local courthouse Monday to get copy of my divorce decree and file a police report. Thanks in advance.
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