Q: Can a side agreement be enforced due to "precedence" or does the decree stand if the verbal arrangement no longer works?
Custody arrangement was clear but I have been generous and was allowing the other parent to have 6 extra overnights per month and I was doing all the driving both directions. I'm reducing the extra overnights to 4 nights per month and making the other parent do half the driving. They state I can't do that because the side arrangement has been in place long enough that a precedence has been set and we have to stick with that until a judge says otherwise. I say that in the event we can't agree, the filed document stands. Please advise!
A: No they are not correct. The law encourages the custodial parent to allow additional time for visitation with the child or children and they cannot use that is any modification hearing in the future against you. Usually the parties share the travel expense and your facts show that you are following the intent of the law and you should not worry about the non custodial parent trying to use your past actions against you.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
