Visitatation Rights

[ANDREABASFORD]

hello,
I am custodial parent of an eleven year old son who lives in florida. I was recently able to locate the non custodial parent via the help of the csea . Visitation rights are a concern because the non custodial parent wants to pick up my son once a month for the weekend. Is it in the best interest of the child to have a court ordered visitation schedule? I have two concerns: 1. If the non custodial parent does not return my child as agreed, do I have any rights? (my son has had no contact with this man until 8 months ago. He has met with him only twicw and on 4 different occasions he promised to visit my child and backed out due to finacial obligations)
2. My son has been raised christian for eleven years and the non custodial parent is a jehovahs witness. Do I have a right to object to this sharing of religios beliefs with my son based on the fact that the noncustodial parent has never been a part of my sons life before?

 

[FoggyDew]

1. Court ordered visitation schedules are strongly suggested, and the only form of visitation that is enforceable. I also suggest supervised and minimal visitation at first so as to gentle in this new found relationship. You can request this when you propose a schedule citing the lack of parental contact to this point. You may want to consider a proposal containing an eventual return to "standard" visitation over a period of time (specifically dated) so that you need not return to court - the alternative being maintain the limited visitation and let his father worry about modifying it in court.
2. In most states (all that I know of, but I may be wrong) each parent has the right to direct religious training - whether they are complimentary or not. I have a friend who is catholic and her exhusband is jewish. The children get the benefit of having a rich and full faith-based background from which to draw their own conclusions. A bit of explanation about the differences might soften his confusion, but he will certainly face many religious choices as he continues to blossom into a young man. Have faith in your faith and be consistent. From one christian to another.

 

[haiku]

1. you will need to have a set visitation schedule and order, that way you have something to enforce, if there was ever a disagreement on visitation schedules.

2. No you cannot take away the other parents right to share thier religion with thier children. (witness's are also christian by the way...) just continue with your child religious education when he is with you. this can be a wonderful way to teach religious tolerances and differences.