Minneapolis, MN asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Minnesota

Q: My granddaughters by court order have to spend there summers in California with there father. Can they refuse?

They have been going to California for about seven years now. They are 17 and 13 years old and don't want to spend the whole summer there. Is there anything we can do to help them?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Robert Kane
Robert Kane
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Eagan, MN
  • Licensed in Minnesota

A: The girls' wishes should be considered, but it isn't their decision. The parents will need to modify the custody order to reflect any changes. If an agreement can be reached it should be fairly simple for an attorney.

Refusal to comply with the current is a violation, regardless of what the girls want.

In order to ensure the best possible schedule, the legal guardian needs to consult with an attorney, at least in a limited role. Perhaps an agreement can be reached. Far too often, an individual leaves court disappointed because they weren’t properly prepared.

Limited-scope representation is when you and a lawyer agree that the lawyer will handle some parts of your case and you will handle others. This is different from more traditional arrangements between lawyers and clients where a lawyer is hired to provide legal services on all aspects of a case, from start to finish. Limited-scope representation is sometimes called “unbundled legal services” or “discrete task representation.”

I am licensed in Minnesota and California.

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