What To Do If Your Co-Parent Says You Will Never See Your Child Again
The road to Divorce or a Paternity Case.
It is all too common that your Co-Parent might say, in a moment of anger…
You’ll never see your son again.
The truth is, this rarely happens. Unfortunately, that is not going to make you feel any better. Your attorney will probably make sure you don’t take any chances. In fact, they might advise you not to allow the other Parent to have the child or children until the legal case is filed and maybe even not until the first 30 days has passed.
The Court can require your child to be returned to you. They can even issue a special order to make sure that happens if your child is taken out of State or the Parent refuses to return the child. The problem is that you have to know where your child is located.
Regardless of whether this is a real threat or something stupid said in anger, you simply don’t want to take the chance that the Parent might take your child and not let you have access to them. So caution is the way you have to go even if it feels overboard. You have to think of your children first. Do whatever you can to keep down the drama, but don’t feel like that means you need to let the other Parent make threats.
The beginning of a case is so hard because, unless the Parties agree to a schedule right away. Often the Court does not issue temporary orders for some time, if at all. The best way to try to work out a Parenting Plan is to go to mediation as quickly as possible. There is plenty of room to be creative with a schedule that is custom made for your family. Mediation can also significantly decrease the cost of your family law case. Even if it feels like the Parties are far apart, a skillful mediator can help you make progress to find something that will be the perfect fit for your children.
Remember, words and threats stay with your Co-Parent a long time and can create a huge obstacle to having a successful Co-Parenting Relationship for years to come. When you find yourself getting angry, walk away. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Think of the future of your children long term and not what you are feeling in the moment. Your children deserve to have both Parents with a successful Co-Parenting mindset.
For more information on mediation, check out our 5 Secret Ingredients to Successful Mediation.
