Custody Exchange Locations After Your Ex- Moves Away
A couple in Michigan divorced, and a custody order is in effect. The father recently moved to a home an hour away from his former residence. The mother has suggested meeting half-way between the homes for visitation exchanges, and the father has refused that compromise. Can she withhold the children from visitation?
Re: Exchange Locations After Your Ex- Moves Away
The mother cannot withhold the children -- she needs to abide by the parenting time order.
If the custody order provides for her to transport the children to and from the father's home for visitation, and she does not want to do that given the significant increase in distance, she needs to petition the court to modify the order. If the order requires exchanges to occur at the home of the parent who has the children at the time of the exchange, as a matter of time and when compared to meeting in the middle, it all comes out in the wash -- but she can still move to modify the order based upon the increased distance.
If the order is unclear, or for further clarification of her rights, she should have the custody order reviewed and explained to her by a family lawyer.