The divorce process involves settling various matters in a legal fashion. If you’re a parent, then a child custody agreement will be your top priority.
Whether you’ve managed to come to an arrangement with your co-parent, or the courts have had to step in, the resulting custody order will be legally binding.
Unfortunately, your co-parent has been late in dropping off the kids recently, and it’s happened more than once. What are your options in such a scenario?
Try having a discussion
Luckily, you and your ex have remained amicable for the sake of the kids, and the only issue is their tardiness. Sometimes, rather than jumping into a conflict head first, it’s better to try having an open and honest discussion. Your ex may not have realized the problem was so chronic or was causing you stress, and hopefully, they’re willing to change.
Request a custody modification
While custody orders are legally binding, the court may alter them in certain circumstances. For instance, your co-parent might be late all the time because they’ve had to start a new job or have moved to a different location.
Occasionally, an ex may break the custody arrangement as a form of protest, because they disagree with the terms. This is also something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, as stability is better for the child overall.
As a parent in California, you have a host of rights at your disposal. Seeking some legal guidance will give you a better idea of your options if a custody arrangement is not working out.