Log in

View Full Version : Child support and visitation


brandy0988
Mar 9, 2013, 01:14 PM
My husband has a daughter from a previous relationship. Two years ago the mother put him on child support, and he has documentation that states he is supposed to get her every other weekend, and for half of the summer. In August of 2012 she decided to stop contacting him, and moved to a different apartment without letting my husband know the new address. We haven't had her since August. I was wondering if there is something that we could do, or if it was illegal for her to do this in the state of Texas? We have tried everything but no body seems to be able to give us any information. He has contacted child services, and the child support people, but nothing. We miss her so much and just want this all to be over with and finally be able to see her again. Any suggestions?

AK lawyer
Mar 9, 2013, 01:35 PM
... He has contacted child services, and the child support people, but nothing.. .

Of course not. The job of the child support people is to see that noncustodial parents pay child support, not to see that they get visitation. Child support and visitation are totally separate. Similarly, if the child is not being abused or neglected, it's not the concern of child services either.

He needs to get an attorney and sue for specific visitation.

ScottGem
Mar 9, 2013, 02:05 PM
If there is a court order saying he gets her every other weekend, then after the first weekend he was unable to get her, he should have filed in the court that issued the order to have her held in contempt of court. If she has hidden from him, he can swear out a warrant for parental kidnapping.

Had he consulted an attorney immediately, he wouldn't have been spinning his wheels getting nowhere for more than 6 months.

However, I do have to point out that support and visitation are separate issues. He can't withhold support because he isn't getting visitation.