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Speak with your child about why they don't want to visit. Approach the conversation from a position of understanding while still impressing upon them the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with the co-parent. Allow them to express any feelings or concerns they may have without judgment.

Joint Legal Custody is where the parents work together and share the care and control of the upbringing of the child, even if the child has only one primary residence. Each parent has an equal voice in making decisions.

What happens if a child doesn't want to go? Generally, the child has to follow with visitation orders if they're under the age of 16. If they don't visit their parent at the scheduled time, then the parent can face contempt charges or otherwise get in trouble.

The inability to communicate with one another in a civil manner is counterproductive to effective co-parenting, especially if the noncustodial parent refuses to communicate with the custodial parent. The Court will consider additional factors, such as: Not ordering joint custody in an effort to improve communication.

Children are allowed to refuse visitation if they want once they turn 16. They can choose to stop visitation or continue with those sessions if they see fit. They are usually expected to inform the court of their decision if they opt to refuse visitation for any reason.

Maryland is one of many states that allow a child to weigh in with their preferences at 16 years of age. It also allows children 16 years and older to petition the court for a change of custody if they're not happy with the arrangement ordered in the initial decree.