This is the next post in my series on the issue of holiday visitation in Las Vegas child custody cases. My last article discussed how judges typically award holiday visitation. It is always best if you can come to an agreement with the other parent as opposed to having the judge decide the issue. Reaching an agreement can save you, and the child, a great deal of aggravation. Contacting a family law attorney sooner, rather than later, can assist you in reaching a settlement with your ex. In this article I will discuss an important topic – the potential ramifications of failing to follow a holiday visitation order. If you find yourself in need of legal assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
A Clark County Family Court Judge’s orders must be followed. This includes those orders which govern holiday visitation. Failing to turn a child over, at the required time, can result in a parent being held in contempt of court. The penalties for contempt can include jail time, fines, and having to pay the other side’s attorney’s fees. If the offending parent withholds the child for a prolonged period of time then they may find themselves served with a Motion to have the child returned to the other parent. Being served with such a Motion can increase the chances of being found in contempt and can increase the legal fees to be paid by the offending parent. In other words, the consequences of not following an order can be severe.
Withholding the child during the holidays can, depending on the circumstances, also serve as a basis for modifying child custody. One of the factors the Court considers, when deciding custody, is each parent’s willingness to foster a relationship between their counterpart and the child. If one parent is engaging in a pattern of conduct, meant to frustrate their counterpart’s relationship with the child, then withholding holiday visitation may very well be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” and causes the Court to modify the current custody arrangement. It is important to understand, however, that how the Court will rule in any given circumstance is always going to depend on the specific facts of the case.
If you are a parent going through a holiday visitation dispute, then contact my office today to speak with a Las Vegas child custody lawyer. I devote my practice to the handling of family law matters and I work to provide the highest levels of service. Call today to speak with an attorney. We are ready to assist you.
