For parents seeking a Pasadena divorce, custody, visitation, and child support will need to be determined as a part of the settlement process.
It's important for parents to keep in mind that child support and visitation are two separate legal issues. It is illegal for a custodial parent to withhold visitation to punish the noncustodial parent for failing to pay child support. It is also illegal for the noncustodial parent to fail to pay child support because his or her visitation is of an insufficient length.
Visitation, like child support, is set by the court. Parents paying child support can't decide to lower child support payments because of money spent on the child during the noncustodial parent's visitation. Parents receiving child support can't demand more money in exchange for extra time with the child. Requests to formally change child support and/or visitation need to be approved by the court.
Visitation is not the right of the parent. Visitation is for the benefit of the child, since a child deserves the chance to have a relationship with both parents regardless of whether they remain married to each other.
It's understandable for custodial parents to be frustrated when an ex is refusing to pay child support. But trying to withhold visitation may do more harm than good over the long run. Legalities aside, multiple studies have shown that the biggest factor in whether or not a noncustodial parent continues to pay child support is if he or she feels connected to the child. Interfering in the development of a relationship between your child and the noncustodial parent will make it less likely that you'll receive the child support you are owed.
How Can We Help?
If you are in need of legal representation during your divorce, please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com. Our team of skilled attorneys can handle a variety of issues of importance to parents, including how divorce law in Pasadena affects child custody, visitation, and child support concerns.