Enforcing Visitation Without an Attorney

[twinmom713]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: TN

My husband has a daughter with a previous girlfriend (never married) and a parenting plan/child support order was filed in 2002. The mother is now withholding visitation and does not allow him any participation in decision making which their parenting plan clearly states is to be done jointly. We have spoken with attorneys, court clerks, etc and have basically been told that we can't do a thing w/o an attorney.

We were told to file a petition of contempt and while the county we and the mother reside in will allow us to do that w/o an atty, the county the order was made in will not, nor will they let us transfer it. I understand that we may be out of luck with the petition but is there no other way we can see her without hiring an atty because it could be months or longer before we can afford one (by the way, legal aid won't help either).

[Mr. Knowitall]

You are telling us that you cannot proceed without a lawyer. If the court will not let you petition for relief or contempt without a lawyer, I disagree with the court's practices. But I can't change them, and have to go by your word as to what they are.

What will the court let you file without a lawyer? A motion for modification of custody or visitation? Explore your other options.