Question: I am 14 years old and live in Arizona is it true that when I turned 13 it was up to me if I wanted to spend the weekends with my father? I do not mind going for a visit 1 day out of the week for a couple hours however I do not want to spend the weekends with him because he is not there and I am left with his girlfriend and her children.
Answer: There is no law in Arizona that states when the child turns 13 he/she may change their visitation rights. According to Arizona law (ARS 25-403), when parents are awared joint custody, they are required to give the judge a written "parenting plan" that includes the schedule of when you will visit each parent, and how they are going to propose changes to the plan. If a method of changing your schedule was not in your parent's "parenting plan" to the judge, your parents must write a request to the judge to change your visitation schedule. This sounds like a lot of work for your parents just to get permission to see you, but the purpose is to make sure you are getting what is best for you.
Talk to your parents about your schedule, and ask them what they think would be in your best interest. If you still want more specific advice about your situation, call the Arizona Children's Law Center at 602-258-3434 x 266.
|
