Q: I have a question about kids and visitation with ex husband.
I asked my ex-husband if he could watch our two kids on July 13 when I go out of town for work (a day trip). He told me no, that he would do nothing extra. He will only see them every other weekend and every other Thursday for dinner. I asked about his two weeks in the summer that is in the child custody papers. He said it was a suggestion and would not be taking them. I asked what the problem was. He said that he wanted the girls more than every other weekend. This confused me, as he won't take them extra time. I told him this. He said he wanted them extra time for the sole purpose of lowering his child support. That two weeks in the summer, and a day here or there won't lessen the amount he owes me.
He said since our child custody agreement is vague with respect to the summer, that he has no plans to take them.
Is there a legal way I can force him to spend time with his kids?
A:
No, there really isn't.
The court CAN'T make someone care more about their children, or want to have additional time with them. I suppose it is possible that you could rework your custody schedule so that he has 124 overnights per year (which would change his child support amount), but it doesn't seem like there are any good reasons to voluntarily take this step.
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