Out of State Visit

[colson111]

What is the name of your state? MN
My son's father wants to fly him to Texas over Christmas break. We have no visitation set up and he signed the parental form, but never had a blood test. If I sign a paper that allows him to go (I'm not sure exactly what that needs to say), would he then only be able to take him to Texas and back, or could he possibly take him somewhere else? He would need additional papers if he were to try to cross into Mexico, correct?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

He can't take him outside the country without a passport and he can't sign for a passport without also being the child's father.

 

[SMURFEELAW]

Yes he SHOULD need additional papers to go to Mexico, sometimes the border asks sometimes they don't. Do you have reason to be concerned dad will not return the child? How old is the child? Do you get support? Although there are no visitation orderes are there custody orders?

 

[cjs mom]

dont do it

If no custody or paternity has been determined the paper would have no meaning. The father of the child could keep him and try to file for custody in the state that he is in. The police will not get involved and you will have a long road ahead of you tring to get your child back. Go file for custody immediatly!

 

[casa]

I am in CA and have gone to Mexico several times and also with my children- I have never ONCE been asked for a passport or custody papers. Food for thought.

 

[snostar]

I am in CA and have gone to Mexico several times and also with my children- I have never ONCE been asked for a passport or custody papers. Food for thought.

If you were without the other parent when traveling, then that's SCAREY!!!!!

 

[cjs mom]

i agree

I agree totatly im a travel agent and we have to advise clients on the proper documentation on taking children out of the country.

 

[casa]

Yep, only once did I have the other parent (& since the children have different fathers- he was only the father of one) My experience is they care more about the cars coming IN than they doing going OUT of the US.

Sad, but true- and this poster needs to be aware of it.

 

[cjs mom]

Oh, ok I thought you were talking about flying and going thru customs.

 

[colson111]

I can't file for custody nor can I file for child support. If I did, His dad would be kicked out of the country. My son wouldn't know his father and I wouldn't recieve a penny. I trust him to not take my son out of the country and not want to come back, but I worry he would try tol take him out of the country for a visit and try to come back and be unable.

He gives me half of daycare and takes his son every other Saturday night and usually another weekday night. That brings up another question. Is there a reason, besides for the parents sake that visitation is usually every other weekend and one night a week?

Thanks for the advice and input.

 

[stealth2]

Well, then, it's your choice whether to allow your son to go see him. However, be aware that with no custody papers, he is under no obligation to return your son to you whether he goes out of the country or not - he has the same rights that you do.

And I don't understand your question about visitation. EOW and on evening a week is pretty much the minimum standard visitation and is for the benefit of both parent AND child.

 

[cascole]

Just to concurr with Casa - I too have gone into Mexico with our son & without being questioned at all. Once on a cruise, other times on foot. For the cruise, I certainly had my papers ready, but no one ever asked for them - not the cruise line & not Mexican officials at ports of call.

 

[colson111]

Being we were never married, only signing the parental form is enough to give him as much rights as me?

My other question is, because of our circumstance we need to decide visitation on our own, what are the reasons for choosing every other weekend and one night a week. Mainly, the reasons that it is a good time-line for the child. I was wondering if it would be better then only every other Saturday night and if it would be better for there to be a set evening for him to take him during the week rather then when he feels like it.

Oh and my son is 20 months old.

 

[colson111]

I am, also, wondering, if you don't mind my asking, whether those that have taken there kids to Mexico without needing papers are male or female. (Even though it shouldn't matter, it could.)

 

[SMURFEELAW]

I would definately plan on a set night during the week. So you can schedule around it as for weekend vs one night every other weekend I think as much time as a child can spend with each parent is best for all involved. So I would go with standard and then add some three day weekends as long as child, you and dad are comfortable with it. If both parents are capable and loving no child has ever been shown too much love and support even in divorce situations. Good Luck.