Time-sharing arrangements can give both parents in a family access to their children after a separation or divorce. Whether parents establish a time-sharing arrangement through mutual agreements or litigation, they likely both have time-sharing rights and legal parental authority.
Sometimes, the children subject to the custody order may have a stronger relationship with one parent as opposed to the other. In such cases, children, especially teenagers, may insist that they do not want to spend time with one of their parents.
Is there an age at which teenagers can assert their rights and refuse to follow the time-sharing arrangements?
Children and parents should uphold the order
Maintaining regular contact with both parents is typically best for minor children unless there are unusual circumstances. There is an expectation that everyone in the family should do their best to uphold the time-sharing arrangements approved by the courts.
Even in scenarios where teens do not want to spend time with one of their parents, there is still an obligation to follow the instructions of their parents and the order issued by the courts. Similarly, the parent with more parenting time or a closer relationship with a teenager has an obligation to act in their best interests and uphold the existing time-sharing schedule.
If a parent does not compel the teen to follow the time-sharing schedule, the other parent may have grounds to seek enforcement actions in family court or possibly to request a modification. A teen’s wishes do not overrule court orders.
Parents who understand their rights and responsibilities can take appropriate steps to uphold time-sharing arrangements. Overcoming a young adult’s objections may require cooperative efforts from the parents and possibly even counseling to work through their feelings on the issue.