If you are divorced with children or have a court ordered Parenting Plan for some reason this may be news to you.
When I got divorced in 2003, telephone calls were occasionally implemented into parenting plans, but yesterday I found out from a mediator at the Surprise Family Court system that more recently courts are required to include and enforce telephone calls into the parenting plan.
The courts are required to include one phone call per day at minimum. This means that if your child with your x, that you have the right to call at least one time per day, and he is required to make your child/children available for that call. The court is also required to specify the time if you and your x can't agree on one, and my understanding is that the standard time they order when parents cannot agree is between 7:45- 8pm.
If the parent does not make the child available during the court ordered time, the court may order that calls go through a court-monitored system. This would be a third party number where each of the parties are required to call in at a certain time. If the parent still does not comply by calling in, it is my understanding that the courts are required to fine or punish the offending party.
This is nice to see because I know that many parents have had problems with this sort of thing. I personally have not had this problem, but I know several people who do. And it seems like a practical solution even if both parties are compliant, just to avoid playing phone tag which is unintentional, yet unavoidable.
Better yet, as of July 1, 2008 the courts will be required to add text and email to this portion of the parenting plan order. This could come in handy if you like to email or text photos.
If you would like to learn more, I suggest consulting a lawyer. There is a non-profit service called the Lawyer Referral Service. This is a non-profit orgination in the valley that will refer you to a lawyer who will provide an initial consultation for $50.
Its about time the court
Its about time the court pushes this. Parents can be so controlling with talk time, and it only hurts the children, especially when the children want to speak to the father.
This is the best news that I've heard today. Thanks for sharing this.
I know that my brother will be happy to know this.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the information. Very informative and helpful!
There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one!
my friends ex was just
my friends ex was just ordered to call their son every night at 6 pm. He doesn't call. They have to go back to court again in about a month and she is bringing her cell phone records to prove that he doesn't call.
Yes, I have 3 boys. No, I am not trying for a girl.
Wow this is new. Ordering
Wow this is new. Ordering the parent to call? Sheesh. Poor child!
I love it. As sad as it
I love it. As sad as it makes me that such things are necessary, at least there's a system in place to handle such things now.
When you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, you'll do something to change it.
http://www.aunyx.net
wow...i wonder if thats the
wow...i wonder if thats the same for pinal county courts...ivve got 2 little girls one who lives with me and goes to her dads every other wknd and my other little girl lives at her dads and comes home every other wknd...i only get to call once a wk on wed nights at 7 pm...but that was decided 2 years ago now...id love to call more often..i miss my baby..she lives at her dads by her choice and i want her to b haooy but still...once a wk talk on the phone is never enough
* curlz *
Yes, I believe this should
Yes, I believe this should be for all of AZ but I think it's mandatory only for long distance parenting plans, however with that said, I would think with the courts having more attention on this now, it would be a reasonable thing for you to request.