Child Custody Frequently Asked Question #3

Question:

My former spouse won’t let me visit with my children. Please help.

Answer:

Generally speaking, a parent who does not have custody of the child (non-custodial parent) is entitled to visitation with the child. However, laws, policies and procedures regarding custody matters vary from State to State. To determine your rights in this situation, you will need to consult with or obtain the services of an attorney who is knowledgeable in family law matters in your State. If you need assistance in locating and/or paying for an attorney, the American Bar Association (ABA) provides a lawyer referral service at http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/lris/directory/home.html (scroll to the bottom of the page for a map of the U.S. which links to local resources) and the Consumers’ Guide to Legal Help at http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm provides pro bono attorney referrals and more. In addition, the following ABA website may also be of assistance, especially to anyone needing free legal help http://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/faq_freehelp..... This site provides links to: free, State legal hotlines for individuals to call and speak to a lawyer; pro bono services for special populations; “unbundled" legal services (which means that individuals can handle part of the legal work themselves to save costs); and links to legal forms.  In addition, many local courthouses offer guidance to parents regarding the custody process; you may want to visit your courthouse to see if assistance is available.

The Federal government does not have the authority to intervene in individual child custody and/or parental visitation cases. These matters fall under the jurisdiction of State and local courts, according to State laws.