When A Co-Parent Starts Canceling Parenting Time

Co-parenting is a challenging undertaking. People who have just gone through a difficult change in their relationship have to find a way to work with one another to act in the best interest of their children. They typically need to refer to the custody order approved by the Texas family courts and uphold it to the best of their abilities.

In most divorces or separations of unmarried parents, Texas family law judges allocate a reasonable amount of parenting time to both adults. They then need to cooperate with one another to follow the custody order through regular custody exchanges and appropriate communication about their children.

Sometimes one parent resents the demands of co-parenting so much that they start interfering in the access of the other. One parent might cancel back-to-back parenting sessions for the other parent using flimsy excuses. They might schedule appointments during the other parent’s time or otherwise try to shorten their parenting time. What options does a parent have when their co-parent starts intentionally reducing the time that they can spend with their children?

Document the issue thoroughly

The first necessary step in a scenario involving denied parenting time and non-compliance with a parenting plan is to establish a pattern of behavior. The parent getting turned away or dealing with shortened parenting sessions needs to keep thorough records of each canceled and truncated parenting session. In fact, they have to continue showing up for the custody exchanges as scheduled even if they receive prior notice that their co-parent intends to cancel their time. Doing so allows them to establish a clear pattern of inappropriate conduct deviating from the current custody order.

Ask the courts for support

The Texas family courts prefer to see parents voluntarily cooperate with each other. However, they can intervene in scenarios where one parent obviously and intentionally violates the established custody order. Attempts at parental alienation tend to lead to unfavorable outcomes in custody litigation. Judges view a parent intentionally damaging the other’s relationship with the children as a negative thing. They may declare that parent in contempt of court, award the other parent make-up parenting time or even modify the custody order in consideration of the repeated cancellations.

Instead of feeling powerless and angry, parents can take action to protect the relationship with the children they love when losing their parenting time. Addressing child custody issues through enforcement or modification efforts can help parents prioritize their relationship in enforceable ways.

Vernier & Associates, PLLC

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