how to enforce child visitation in nc without a lawyer

by Miss Abbey Schneider MD 8 min read

If one parent does not follow the visitation order, you should: Contact local police to get them to enforce the order. Contact the district attorney, if you believe the other parent has abducted your child.

Full Answer

Can law enforcement enforce a custody order in North Carolina?

Mar 03, 2021 · In order to enforce a child custody order in North Carolina, take the following three steps: Contact a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your situation, understand your options, and protect your rights. File an appropriate motion with the court to hold the co-parent in contempt for violating the child custody order. Wait for the judge’s decision in your case. If the other parent …

How is no visitation determined in a child custody case?

If everyone has left the original state, you can ask the North Carolina courts to take over your case. If you want a North Carolina judge to enforce or change your out-of-state order, you must begin by registering the order in North Carolina. You can find the petition to register a custody order from another state or country here.

Do you have to pay attorney's fees for custody in NC?

4. Q. CAN THE COURT AWARD ATTORNEY'S FEES TO ME IN A CUSTODY CASE? A. Under North Carolina law, if the person asking for attorney's fees is acting in good faith and is unable to afford the legal expenses of the lawsuit, it is possible (but not mandatory) for the court to award reasonable attorney's fees as part of the custody order. 5. Q.

Do I have to file for custody in North Carolina?

Feb 06, 2020 · Police may physically escort the custodial parent if the child is not home at the time set in the visitation order, for example, and efforts to call the non-custodial parent are unsuccessful. Having a police report is also a way to document a denial of visitation, which can help in a custody case.

Can a sheriff enforce a custody order in NC?

Authorities hesitate to get involved if there hasn't been a crime, but police can enforce child custody when necessary. However, police can only enforce a custody order's terms.

How do I file a motion for contempt in NC?

Take your completed packet to the Clerk's Office (Civil Filing Department), Room 3725. This is where you file your motion and pay the required $20 filing fee. 3. Request that the Judge sign the Order to Appear and Show Cause.

When can you deny visitation to the non custodial parent?

The court can restrict or deny a noncustodial parent visitation grounds on the flowing grounds: If the parent has a history of molesting the child. If the court believes that the parent can kidnap the child. If the parent is likely to abuse drugs while taking care of the child.Apr 16, 2020

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in NC?

18Can a Child Refuse Visitation in North Carolina? When someone asks "what age can a child leave home in North Carolina", the answer is 18. The age of majority in North Carolina is 18 years old and this means your child custody order governs visitation until a child turns 18 or is emancipated.

Is contempt of court a felony in NC?

A subsequent violation of the protective order is charged as a Class H felony and punishable by up to 33 months in prison. However, the vast majority of motions for civil contempt are filed against individuals who violate a court order issued by a family court.Dec 9, 2020

Can you go to jail for not paying child support in North Carolina?

If the obligor parent fails to pay the full amount of child support, they can face contempt of court charges including significant fines and in some circumstances, jail time.

Can a mother legally withhold visitation?

Key Points. Your partner cannot legally stop you from having access to your child unless continued access will be of detriment to your child's welfare. Until a court order is arranged, one parent may attempt to prevent a relationship with the other.

What do you do when your child doesn't want to see their dad?

Specifically, you could ask your child's other parent to call the child on the phone or come over to your house and try to speak with the child who is refusing visits. This helps the other parent understand the situation and places some obligation on their part to facilitate visits.

Can custodial parent block phone calls?

Unless a court order authorizes such action, one parent can't block another parent with custodial rights from contacting their own child.Mar 20, 2017

How do I get visitation rights in NC?

If the non-custodial parent wants additional time, an agreement must be reached with the parent who has primary physical custody. If two parents cannot agree, the non-custodial parent may file a visitation complaint with the court to request increased visitation time.

What is parental kidnapping in NC?

According to North Carolina law, if a parent violates another parent's custodial or visitation rights by keeping the child away from that parent, it is considered parental kidnapping. This is the result if a parent simply refuses to return the child, and when a parent flees with a child.

What makes a parent unfit in North Carolina?

What exactly is an unfit parent? The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.Jan 1, 2022