HomeFAQsParenting Time

The other parent refuses to see our children. What can the Friend of the Court do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

The Friend of the Court cannot force a parent to engage in parenting time with his/her children. It is the parent’s duty to promote a positive relationship with the children and the other parent. Your options include: counseling, mediation, and filing a petition for change of the parenting t…

My child does not want to engage in parenting time with the other parent. What can I do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

Parents are to obey court orders, regardless of the child’s age. It is the parent’s responsibility to promote a positive relationship with the child and the other parent. You may want to try the following options:

Work out a different arrangement with the other parent.
Contact the Fri

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I am concerned that my child is being abused when with the other parent. What should I do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

Report your concerns to the Protective Services unit of the Family Independence Agency. You may also wish to provide your Friend of the Court office with a written copy of your concerns so that they may be made a part of your file. The Friend of the Court office, however, does not have the authority to in…

The Friend of the Court will not help enforce my parenting time order. What can I do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

The law requires the Friend of the Court to provide enforcement services regarding parenting time orders. If you believe the Friend of the Court is not trying to enforce the order, you may file a grievance regarding their procedures (See Complaints section). You may also file a petition for enforce…

I have asked to telephone my children at the other parent’s home; (s)he says no. What can the Friend of the Court do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

The Friend of the Court enforces the written order of the court. If your court order does not provide for telephone calls, try to work it out with the other parent or pursue other methods of resolution such as Friend of the Court mediation. If that is unsuccessful, you may file a petition with the court r…

It appears that the other parent has been drinking or using drugs. Do I have to let the children go?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

That is your decision as a parent. If you violate the court order in such a situation, you may have to explain to the court, at a “show cause” hearing, why you should not be held in contempt for your decision, which you felt was in the best interests of the children.…

The other party is not following the parenting time order. What can I do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

File a written complaint with the Friend of the Court. If the Friend of the Court believes the parenting time order has been violated, it shall start enforcement action. (See Parenting Time Enforcement section).…

The other parent is not sending or returning clothing or other personal items for our child. Is there anything the Friend of the Court can do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

The Friend of the Court enforces the written order of the court. If your court order does not address clothing and/or other personal items, try to work it out with the other parent or through means such as Friend of the Court mediation. If that is unsuccessful, you may file a petition with the court requ…

Child support payments are not being made. Do I have to allow parenting time?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

Yes. Parenting time and support are separate parts of a court order with separate enforcement procedures (See Support Enforcement section).…

I have a specific parenting time schedule that I would like to change. What can I do?

Posted on June 26th, 2018

See if you and the other parent can agree to a change. This change, along with the reasons for this change, may be presented to the court as a proposed new court order of parenting time. An agreement between parties without a court order is not enforceable.
The Friend of the Court will provide mediation

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