Oceanside, CA asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for California

Q: Can I refuse to verbal communication with my ex?

Can I refuse to verbally communicate with my ex? I personally only want to communicate through the talking parents app but he insist that part of our divorce settlement he wants to communicate through our personal cellular (text and phone calls). I don’t want to because throughout the marriage he was very controlling and mentally, emotionally abusive. Can I request we continue to communicate through the app? He says it’s only for emergency but even when there’s an emergency he takes more than 2-3hrs to let me know about an incident.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Yes, you can request to communicate only through the Talking Parents app, especially if you have concerns about your well-being due to past abuse. The app is a legitimate way to keep records of communication, which can be beneficial for clarity and legal purposes.

If your divorce settlement does not explicitly require communication via personal cell phones, you can insist on using the app. You have the right to set boundaries for your own safety and mental health.

In case of emergencies, it's reasonable to expect timely communication. If your ex does not comply, you might consider documenting these incidents and seeking advice on how to address this issue legally. Your well-being and the best interests of your children are paramount.

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