I am 14 and dont want to visit my dad, who has joint-custody of me. Can anyone help?

[needinghelp722]

Nebraska

I am a 14 year old living in Nebraska. My parents have been divoreced since I was 1 1/2. They share joint-custody of me. According to the agreement, we abide by the rules in the Illinios Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. I don't want to go to my fathers anymore. He and his wife are mean to me and if I were to go into detail, it would take up the entire page. According to the agreement, unless he decides not to excersise visitation rights, I have to go every other weekend. However, my older sister, 17, has been living with him since Christmas. I'm not sure if I can legally refuse to go. He is the kind of person who morally and financially can take me to court to force me to go against my will. Do I have a case? The agreement does not clarify what happens when I decide not to go as it was written when I was 1 1/2. We have arranged to get advice from our lawyer, but the appointment isn't until after the next sceduled visitation. If anybody is familiar with the Illinios Marriage and Dissolution Marriage Act or cases with similar situations, please help me out.

 

[stephenk]

until your mom goes back to court to modify the visitation schedule, you have to go. you are old enough for the court to consider your wishes if you dont want to go, but your mom can get in trouble if you stop going before a judge changes the present visitation schedule.

have you told your dad that you dont want to go?

 

[Rvela]

I think it is very important for you to talk to your dad and tell him why you don't want to visit. It is not a good idea to go searching for legal advise with out trying to resolve this issue with your father. You will create bad blood. Remember Family is the most important. And ask your self this - How has your mother help the situation?

 

[VeronicaGia]

Nebraska

I am a 14 year old living in Nebraska. My parents have been divoreced since I was 1 1/2. They share joint-custody of me. According to the agreement, we abide by the rules in the Illinios Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. I don't want to go to my fathers anymore. He and his wife are mean to me and if I were to go into detail, it would take up the entire page. According to the agreement, unless he decides not to excersise visitation rights, I have to go every other weekend.

***That is true. Your mother is under court order, so is your father. If your mother doesn't abide by the court order, she will have to deal with whatever the judge decides to do to her.

However, my older sister, 17, has been living with him since Christmas. I'm not sure if I can legally refuse to go.

***You cannot.

He is the kind of person who morally and financially can take me to court to force me to go against my will.

***He will not take you to court, he will take your mother to court.

Do I have a case?
***No.

The agreement does not clarify what happens when I decide not to go as it was written when I was 1 1/2.

***It is a court ORDER. What don't you understand about that?

We have arranged to get advice from our lawyer, but the appointment isn't until after the next sceduled visitation. If anybody is familiar with the Illinios Marriage and Dissolution Marriage Act or cases with similar situations, please help me out.

***Your mother is under court order to send you to your father. Unless a judge rules otherwise, your mother will be in contempt of court of she refuses to send you. And unless you have valid reasons that you can prove to a judge to not go, the judge isn't likely to change the order that YOU are NOT a party to.