Child custody agreements outline the rights of both parents, including who has physical and legal custody, visitation and other rights. In many cases, judges seek to build fair agreements where the child spends equal time with both parents.
However, these agreements differ based on the case and jurisdiction. Therefore, parents should understand common violations and their causes.
Common custody violations
Major child custody violations include not allowing a parent to see their children after the parents agree on or a judge orders a visitation schedule. When one parent refuses to let the other parent speak with their children on the phone, that parent violates the order if communication is ordered as well. Parents who speak against their co-parents in front of their kids may breach their custody agreements if their order prohibits that behavior.
Some custody agreements have legal, complicated or misleading language that may result in other violations, whether accidental or intended.
Why parents break custody agreements
Some parents feel so hurt by or angry about the separation that they may violate the custody agreement to get back at their former partner. Other parents may not fully understand the details of the custody agreement, so their violations could be unintentional.
However, there are several other reasons for these violations. For example, one parent may have to relocate or experience a change in their situation. The child’s needs could have changed, or the parent may feel that the child is in danger.
To avoid custody violation claims, parents should learn the details in their custody agreements. However, if their co-parents have habits of violating these orders, these parents should keep track of each instance in case the court may need to determine if a contempt of an order has occurred.