When an Ohio court approves a parenting schedule, it expects both parents to comply. If your ex is denying visits, canceling exchanges without notice or refusing to make your child available, that may be a violation of a court order. There are steps you can take to respond, and the sooner you take them, the better.
Check what the parenting plan says
Start by reading your current court-approved schedule. You want to be clear on what the order requires, and most parenting plans lay out the following:
- The weekly or biweekly schedule
- Holiday and school break time
- Exchange times and locations
Whether you are dealing with a standard or shared parenting plan, what counts is what the order says. A parent cannot unilaterally cancel time because of a disagreement, a child’s mood or frustration over other issues.
Document each missed exchange
Family courts act on evidence, not on frustration. If your time is being denied, keep a record. Do not rely on memory or editorialize. Focus on facts by keeping a record that includes:
- The date, time and location of each missed visit
- Any texts, emails or other messages about the exchange
- A brief note showing that you followed the court-ordered plan
If the other parent says your child did not want to go (or avoids responding altogether), record that, too. Judges often look for patterns, not isolated issues.
File a motion
When it is clear the schedule is not being followed, you can ask the same court that issued the order to enforce it. Depending on what the judge finds, the court may:
- Order make-up time for missed visits
- Modify the parenting plan to prevent future problems
- Hold the other parent in contempt, which may involve warnings, fines or more
The goal is not punishment, but for the child to have consistent access to both parents. If one keeps interfering, it can affect custody going forward.
Be consistent with your responsibilities
It is tempting to respond emotionally when your ex-spouse is being unreasonable. However, staying steady helps your case more than anything else. Here are a few things worth keeping in mind:
- Show up for your parenting time, even if you expect to be turned away.
- Keep communication short, polite and on topic.
- Avoid bringing your child into the conflict.
Judges notice who is doing their part and who is not. Being consistent helps you protect your parenting time and your credibility.
Protect your time with your child
Missed visits can pile up quickly. If you wait too long to respond, it becomes harder to show a clear pattern or to fix the problem without conflict.
Document what is happening, follow the schedule and use the tools Ohio courts give you. That approach gives you the best chance to keep things on track for you and your child.