Attendance of Church Services During the Other Parent's Visitation Time

[jmorrow]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Arkansas...My daughter was forced into visitation with her father rightfully. She needs him in her life. She is 16 years old as of April 8,2014 and while she has been on schedule up to the last month and a half her father has been working out visitation with her. He has gone out of town and she had School functions, piano lessons and is very involved with her church and did not want to go. A practicing Catholic at one time but since Divorce was saved this summer and feels very strong about attending on a regular basis. Her Brother 21 and I have been attending as well to support her. Her Father was invited to attend, I encouraged him to go in the eve on Sunday and we would go on Sunday morning. He has not gone. Unfortunately her Father and I do not communicate at all, he left the home for another woman after 21 years of marriage and has in the last year remarried. They have moved out of their apartment and currently are living with a woman who has a house. She is helping them get caught up financially. My daughter has no bedroom of her own, she sleeps on the couch and lives out of her suitcase. I explained to her that it could be worse and to get through it. My point is recently I have filed contempt charges on him for back child support, a modification was done incorrectly and needs to be changed he owes me around $3000.00. He has currently come back with a contempt charge stating that I make plans for my daughter on his scheduled time with her. I don't even have conversation with him, I cannot plan a thing. He tells her that I ok weekend changes, we did not. I have no problem with him seeing her whenever he wants, even encouraging her to spend time with him during the week. I want forced visitation off, I cannot do this anymore always worried about being bullied by he and his wife. They are currently working out their time, she loves him...lacks respect for him but she is so busy and as a Jr in High School it will get worse. Any advice?

[jk]

given the father is talking contempt, I suggest you stick with the order exactly as written. If you want it changed, you will need to go to court but since the father sounds unwilling to change, I wouldn't hold my breath.

My point is recently I have filed contempt charges on him for back child support, a modification was done incorrectly and needs to be changed he owes me around $3000.00.

whoa there. That is not contempt. That is you seeking a clarification to the order. As long as the father was paying as the order required, he is not in contempt, regardless if it is in error or not. Sounds like you fired the first shot in what could be a two year war.


He

has currently come back with a contempt charge stating that I make plans for my daughter on his scheduled time with her.

and guess what; if you do not make your daughter transfer, you are in contempt. Only if the father refuses to exercise his rights of visitation can you do anything with the daughter.