What if my child is refusing to go to the dads?
Asked by: Brando Satterfield Jr. | Last update: August 4, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (74 votes)
Without the option of physical force, if a child refuses to see a parent, the non-
What to do if your child doesn't want to go to their dad?
instead of forcing them to visit their dad, let them take a break from it. while they are taking a bit of a break, ask them what would need to change for them in order to want to spend time with their dad. maybe they would feel more comfortable meeting up with him outside of his home.
What happens if my child doesn't want to see her father?
If a child expresses a desire not to see their father, it is generally recommended to address the situation through the legal system. Parents may need to go back to court to seek modifications to the existing custody arrangement, presenting evidence and arguments to support any changes.
At what age can kids say they don't want to see their dad?
At What Age Can Teenagers or Other Children Refuse Visitation? Children who are considered legal adults (age 18 in most states) may always refuse to spend time with a parent. Technically, any child who is not yet a legal adult isn't allowed to refuse visitation.
Can a mother refuse access to the father?
The answer to this question is almost always “no,” especially if there is a court order granting custody and parent-time to your child's father. What follows are potential exceptions to this general rule, but you should not withhold your child without discussing it with an experienced family law attorney beforehand.
What if my child doesn’t want to visit their other parent? Do I have to force them?
Can I get in trouble for not letting my son's father see him?
They direct parents to comply with them. A parent who refuses to comply with a child custody order and stops a child from seeing the other parent violates the court order.
Can a mother legally withhold a child from the father?
California generally prohibits parents from withholding visitation unless there is a legitimate reason. Legitimate reasons can mean more than just disliking the other parent. Typically, a court needs to agree to withhold visitation if there is concrete concern that a child is unsafe when with the other parent.
What if my child refuses to see her father?
You can talk to your child to try and ascertain why they do not want to see their parent and see if there are any arrangements that could be made to make spending time with that parent easier. Family mediation may be helpful, where a mediator will work with both parents to try and find a way forward.
Can I sue my ex for not letting me see my child?
If your ex won't let you see your child in violation of the custody agreement, the family court can order them to comply with the court order. For more information about enforcing a parenting plan, talk to a child custody lawyer for help.
Can you be forced to take custody of a child?
If the parent does not want custody of their own child, the courts will find a place for her. Noa parents cannot be forced.
Can I force my child to see his dad?
You cannot physically force a fifteen-year-old child to see a parent if they don't want to. Threatening your teen with punishment will likely hurt more than it will help. The hard truth is that teenagers would likely rather be with their friends than their parents.
What to do when a child rejects a parent?
- Ask your child what he or she needs from you in order to repair the relationship. ...
- Dont act on your feelings of defensiveness. ...
- Expect Respect. ...
- Dont idealize your children or your relationship with them. ...
- Grieve. ...
- Live one day at a time. ...
- Dont beg. ...
- Be empowered.
What is the new custody law in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, parents have the option of sharing 50/50 physical custody or designating one parent as the primary physical custodian while allowing the noncustodial parent significant parenting time. Regarding legal custody, both parents will have partial legal custody regardless of the physical custody schedule.
Can I call the police if my child refuses to come home?
Is it possible to call the police on your own child if they run away and refuse to come home? What actions can the police take in this situation? Your child is a run away, call it in as such. If you know where they are let the police know as well, it's against the law to harbor a run away.
What to do if your child refuses to go to the other parent?
If your child is refusing to spend time with the other parent, or is refusing to spend time with you, you should promptly seek legal advice to determine what your options are based on your specific circumstances. A parent at all times is able to have regard to their child's safety and well-being.
Why does my child not want to go to her dads?
Some children do not want to spend time with their father* or other parent and refuse to go. This may be because of inconvenience in their life schedule: preferring to be with friends, participating in a planned event, avoiding the hassles of changing homes, travel, etc.
Can I call the police if my ex won't let me see my child in the UK?
In such cases the Police or Social Services have additional powers where there is a real danger to the child. If this is the case, you should inform the Police and Social Services immediately and seek urgent legal advice from a Solicitor.
What if my ex refuses to return my child?
If your spouse does not return your child within a reasonable time frame and you have exhausted other options, consider filing a police report. This step can help establish a formal record of the situation and involve law enforcement in the resolution process.
Can I sue my child's father for emotional distress?
U.S. courts recognize emotional distress as a type of damage that can be awarded to a plaintiff via a civil lawsuit. Learn more about what you can sue someone for. Emotional distress damages fall under the legal umbrella of pain and suffering — another legal concept that is classified as non-economic damages.
What do I do if my son doesn't want to see his dad?
If it's a safety issue, then you should get legal advice as soon as possible. Your legal adviser may suggest that you urgently apply to the courts to control or change the nature of the contact between your child and the other parent.
Can one parent withhold a child?
Under California law, both parents are presumed to have a right to custody and visitation. Thus, if no existing order establishes custody of a child, either parent can seek court intervention to establish custody.
What if my child doesn't want to see her father?
The first thing you should do when a child refuses visitation is to notify the other parent as soon as possible. Let them know what's happening, and explain the situation as clearly as possible. Some custody orders include preferred communication methods, and you should notify them via that method when possible.
Can a mother keep the child away from the father?
If a mother has full custody of her children, she may keep the child away from their father without question. She can dictate where her children go and who sees them.
What to do if your ex won't let you see your child?
Your attorney can help you file a motion to enforce visitation, requiring your ex-spouse to comply with the court order. If your ex-spouse continues to deny visitation, they can be held in contempt of court, resulting in fines, community service, or even jail time.
What are the rules for child custody in Washington state?
Henceforth the rights and responsibilities of the parents in the absence of misconduct shall be equal, and one parent shall be as fully entitled to the custody, control and earnings of the children as the other parent, and in case of one parent's death, the other parent shall come into full and complete control of the ...