When a parent is denied visitation in Arizona, this experience is almost always devastating. Whether the denial originates from the court or a bitter ex-spouse, it can prove equally difficult to bear. At the same time, it can be easier to seek redress from an embittered ex-spouse acting on their own and without judicial approval. This type of illegitimate action is far too common and far too devastating to family relationships.
The family court system only rarely denies parental visitation and this measure is generally only used to protect children from physical or emotional threats. If a person is denied child custody or visitation by a family court judge, regaining rights may well be a simple matter of following the judge’s clear, consistent instructions. For example, a judge might require a parent to receive substance abuse treatment or attend court-mandated parenting classes. Child support and child custody are generally regarded as separate matters in family court.
While the judge’s demands are often fairly reasonable, meeting the demands of an angry ex-spouse can prove far more complex and difficult. Co-custodial parents may cut off visitation for shifting, petty and senseless reasons. When a custodial parent becomes compromised by animosity, they sometimes become obstinate and unwilling to compromise on anything. If visitation is denied, wronged co-parents should document all concerns. Documentation and exact dates are important for courts evaluating claims.
If a parent was denied visitation rights for arbitrary reasons, they might have severe difficulty achieving redress on their own. These situations can become acutely stressful because the stakes are so high in child custody matters. As researchers have demonstrated in peer-reviewed studies, children can suffer psychologically when they are completely separated from their parents. By contacting an attorney with relevant knowledge in family law, a parent might potentially speed up their next parental visit and minimize the consequences of forced separation.