Decision Making Options

[fozz12]

A question I have is does the teenager make the decision where they want to attend high school or do the parents have any input? Also, does the primary custodial parent where the teen lives make the final decision or do both parents decide and come to an agreement.

[kyfather]

The question is "does the teenager make the decision where they want to attend high school or do the parents have any input?". The answer is that it depends. The courts would want you to come up with a consensus on what is best for the child, if as parents, you cannot do that....the court will rule according what it deems to be in your childs best interest. From what you have told us in a previous post about your child's grades suffering, the court will rule what will best benefit the child. Frame your arguments in that context.

The question is "does the primary custodial parent where the teen lives make the final decision or do both parents decide and come to an agreement?" The answer is that if both parents have joint legal custody then both parents decide and come to an agreement. If both parents cannot do that, one parent needs to file a motion in court to ask for a mediator to be appointed so that this problem gets resolved.

[Ed]

Like I posted in your other topic. Time to do and exparte motion. I had to do one for school to settle where my sons was going. Worked out on my sons benefit for sure.

Ed...

[fozz12]

Thanks for the information. I also wanted to know how else can I address the fact that I don't have any open or phone communication with my kid. She was given a cell phone which everyone has access to expect for myself. She also has a prepaid phone to call me but it's usually off and my kid doesn't carry it with her. I will keep you posted once I obtain my kid's grades after summer school. There is still no summer visitation or no word on high schools for this Fall.

[Ed]

On core concept of maintaining a healthy relationship with your child is frequent communication.

Ask the court to grant you daily time to talk to your child. If you don't think she will comply then request language that allows you to return to court if she doesn't. This makes the consequences much more clear and the trigger easier to understand.

Ed...

[fozz12]

Haven't gone back to court yet and haven't had the opportunity to have any phone contact or open communication with my kid but only when it's my weekend or time to pick her up. The school decision was made by my ex and I didn't have the chance for any input or part in it.

[Ed]

You will want to file a motion specific to communication. Be careful to frame it as the relationship with the child and you. Not about mom. Only mention that you are currntly being denied and want to correct the situation.

Ed...