Birmingham, AL asked in Civil Litigation, Family Law and Child Support for Alabama

Q: Is there any law in Alabama that says if someone pays child support then the child cannot be kept away from them?

I pay child support but haven't gotten to see or talk to my daughter in two years. My sister in law has custody.

1 Lawyer Answer

A: If you are the parent, unless there is some court order that says you can't see the child, you can petition the Court to establish parenting time for you with the child. You don't say this, but I expect that the Alabama Department of Human Resources took you to Court to compel you to pay child support. That DHR action cannot include any custodial arrangements. You have to do that yourself. If I am right on my guess about the facts, you should file an action to establish parenting time.

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