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jud722 · Nov 12, 2008, 11:19 AM

In Ohio at what age can a child decide not to visit a parent?

ScottGem · Nov 12, 2008, 11:23 AM

At 18. In other words a child CANNOT make that decision. On the other hand, a parent can't force a child to visit. If they try to go to court to enforce visitation the judge will question the child and may grant the child's wishes.

cadillac59 · Nov 23, 2008, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

At 18. In other words a child CANNOT make that decision. On the other hand, a parent can't force a child to visit. if they try to go to court to enforce visitation the judge will question the child and may grant the child's wishes.

Scott always gives good answers and I don't disagree with him on this one. I only wanted to add that even though parents usually can't force a kid to visit if he's a somewhat independent teenager, courts do expect it. Now, I don't think a court can hold a parent in contempt if she's tried to get the kid to visit and he's refused or runs away. But courts do have the attitude that you're the parent so you have to make it happen. Just as an example, I recall a judge scolding a mom once over this who said, "but she doesn't want to visit her dad" and the judge's reaction was, "Ma'am, if I had a dollar for every time I've heard that they'd reach from the floor to the ceiling!!"

cjonline · Nov 25, 2008, 09:16 AM

I also agree. A judge is never going to say that a parent can't see the child just because the child doesn't want to, there has to be more for them to rule like that. However I wanted to add that while Judges seem to have a hard heart sometimes they also tend to be really fair. They will listen to both sides and maybe they will see something you don't being so close to the mess.

If you are the parent that the kid doesn't want to see -- Just keep trying. Show them that your not going away and that you love them. That maybe all they are looking for.

If you are the parent the child lives with and your ex is the parent the child doesn't want to see then talk to your kid. See why they don't want to go - if you don't already know- and try to help your ex spend time with your child.

If you're the child that doesn't want to go with a parent. Talk to the parent and explain why you don't want to go. Maybe things are not as you think.