Summer Visitation

[Tiredoflies78]

In the state of Florida

Hello, 30 days ago I sent the mother of our children a letter asking her if I can have our 2 girls for the first half of the summer and after the 6 weeks were up, then she could have our son along with the girls the second half of the summer. We dont communicate very well when we speak to each other, so I felt that writing the letter was the best way to inform her. She never responded to my letter nor any other letter I've sent her, so now I just sent her another letter informing her that I will be meeting at the half way point per the final judgement to get the girls for the summer, since school is over this week (by the way all the letters are sent certified mail). My question is, if she doesnt respond to this letter will she be in the wrong? What penalties can she be in, if any?

[Dogmatique]

What does your court order say?

[Tiredoflies78]

Hello, the court order says that "that both shall have the children ready on time with sufficient clothing packed and ready at the agreed upon time of exchange (but she has ignored every letter I have sent, so we technically havent agreed amongst each other). If a parent is more than 30 mins late w/o contacting the other parent to make other arrangements, the parent with the child(ren)may proceed with other plans and activities. Exchanges shall occut at the half way point. Now what other options do I really have to have my girls for the summer if she refuses to cooperate with me? What is another option or approach that I can do? Isn't this a form of contempt in her part?

[Dogmatique]

Could you please type word for word what your order says about summer visitation?



(In other words - does it spell out a certain time period starting on, for example, first Monday after school ends, or is it vague along the lines of "visitation shall be as agreed by both parents"?)

[Tiredoflies78]

That is exactly what it says under the summer visitation part. Every other holiday or break is broken down into more detail except summer? So what other options can I have?

[Dogmatique]

If summer visitation is at the agreement of both parents and Mom doesn't agree, then she's not technically in contempt of anything.

[Tiredoflies78]

I honestly understand that, but what if she doesnt reply or try to agree with anything. Now this is where I start to get frustrated because if it was the other way around, I would be in contempt in a heart beat... Fathers have rights too!

[Dogmatique]

This is where you go to court and have summer visitation spelled out for next year.

It wasn't the best thing to leave it up to mutual agreement because as you can now see if one parent doesn't agree, they cannot be held in contempt.

[EA1970]

This is where you go to court and have summer visitation spelled out for next year.

It wasn't the best thing to leave it up to mutual agreement because as you can now see if one parent doesn't agree, they cannot be held in contempt.

Exactly. Leaving visitation orders vague can be disastrous.

Keep copies of every letter, send them all certified return receipt requested, prepare for the possibility that she will not bring the kids for summer visitation.

If she doesn't show, you go to court and request that they spell out the specifics and issue a new order. Make sure you take copies of the letters and the original signed return receipts with you (after making copies for yourself).

[Tiredoflies78]

ok, thanks for your help. I will do that.