When does a child have the right not to visit a non custodial parent?

Wheeler, 253 GA 649 (1984) found that a child aged 14 and older has the right to choose not to visit the non-custodial parent.

Can a child choose a non custodial parent in Georgia?

In Georgia, once a child turns 14 he or she may choose which parent will be their primary custodial parent, however, there are instances when a judge can overrule the child’s election.

Can a non-custodial parent be an emotionally abusive parent?

Sometimes it is a bit of both: the custodial parent’s alienation and the non-custodial parent’s emotional abuse build off each other and the parents lack the ability to stop the cycle. The issue of how to handle visitation when the non-custodial parent is (allegedly) emotionally abusive is one that occurs frequently.

What if the custodial parent begins counseling for the child?

What if the custodial parent begins counseling for the child, but the non-custodial parent refuses further treatment, once it is established that the non-custodial parent is emotionally abusing her child? Susan, this lawyer makes it all about parental alienation!

Can a custodial parent refuse to see a child?

The custodial parent’s attorney has a duty to help the client avoid these situations. But on the other hand, the parent naturally wants to protect the child from potential psychological or physical trauma resulting from forcing the child to visit an untrustworthy parent.

Can a noncustodial parent lose custody of a child?

The answer is probably yes, although there may be solutions less extreme than losing custody of a child. The court may order the noncustodial parent to see the children more in the evenings and after school so that parent can attend to homework.

Can a parent refuse to co-parent a child?

The answer is it depends on whether that refusal to co-parent rises to the level of impacting the child’s best interest. This includes the child’s health, safety, education or general welfare. Since the best interest standard in child custody cases is the foundation for a family law judge’s decision, the lack of co-parenting must be serious.

How to avoid contempt when a child refuses to visit a parent?

We discuss this option in our next article. NEXT: SEEKING AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT A CHILD TO AVOID CONTEMPT WHEN THE CHILD REFUSES TO VISIT WITH A PARENT