Being in the position of a non-custodial parent can be difficult.
Even though the other parent will have more influence over the decisions being made than the non-custodial parent, the non-custodial parent still has the right to see the child that cannot be overridden. They always have the right to be a part of the life of their child. If you are the non-custodial parent of your child, there will be a particular set of guidelines and rules laid out for you concerning your legal rights regarding the child. It’s highly advisable that you follow all of the following tips and recommendations when it comes to dealing with this situation,
Visitation Rights
In the ideal scenario, you should be able to set out a visitation plan with the custodial parent; this plan should have the child’s best interests at heart and be suitable for both parents. The non-custodial parent not only has the right to this visitation but, in almost all states, will also have the right to request that unacceptable or unattainable times be changed to a more suitable window. The custodial parent has no right to deny you this access, and the court will not be appreciative of the custodial parent attempting to alter times, denying access, or attempting to obstruct the visitation in any way. Any interference will be deemed unacceptable, not only the aforementioned physical obstruction but any attempt to influence or turn the child against the non-custodial parent as well.
However, this is as much a right as it is a responsibility. As a non-custodial parent, you should always do your utmost to maintain the schedule correctly. When the court examines these cases to determine rights and visitation, they will often factor in how cooperative the non-custodial parent has been with the arrangements that were made.
Non-Custodial Parent Legal Rights
In addition to visitation, the non-custodial parent will still retain access to all of the child’s legal records. This decision also includes things such as their medical records and any records from their school. Maintaining these rights is incredibly crucial for a non-custodial parent, and should be looked at with the help of a lawyer specializing in this field. A lawyer will be able to understand your specific state/jurisdictions laws to help you, like Woodman Garcia-Sepulveda Law.
Non-Custodial Parent Responsibilities
It is critical for the non-custodial parent to keep their rights concerning the child and all the responsibilities involved. An excellent example of this is the payment of child support. If this is required in the individual case, there should be a detailed and specific set payment plan laid out with the assistance of a lawyer. All payments should be kept track of, and both parties should do their best not to lose track of payments made and received.
When the court examines these cases to determine rights and visitation, they will often factor in how cooperative the non-custodial parent has been with the arrangements that were made.