This is the final post in a series of articles discussing situations in which a Little Rock, Arkansas child is unlawfully withheld by one parent from the other in violation of a custody order. Few things are more emotional than a disagreement over the return of one’s child. Depending upon the circumstances, a parent may fear for their child’s safety. Many parents do not know where to turn for help in resolving such matters. The objective of this series has been to educate parents about their legal options should this situation arise. These options may include taking immediate action to obtain a pick-up order and seeking permanent changes in one’s custody arrangement to avoid future altercations about the child’s return. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate this process. If you require assistance, contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
This series focused on the following key topics:
- Understanding what constitutes parental abduction in Little Rock, Arkansas
- The need to request a “pick-up” order from the court to retrieve one’s child
- The process of seeking a “pick-up” order
- What to expect after obtaining a court order to retrieve one’s child
- Changing custody after the child has been returned
- Avoiding self-help when a co-parent refuses to return a child
Parents need to understand their legal rights when they are forced to take action against their ex to regain access to their child. First, parents commonly have disagreements about custody arrangements that do not rise to the level of parental abduction. While the disagreements can be frustrating, it is important to understand when a court will view a parent’s action as parental abduction before initiating legal proceedings. Second, a parent seeking to enforce a custody order may be tempted to call the police for assistance. Before the police can help, however, the parent must obtain a court order authorizing their involvement. Third, if a pick-up order becomes necessary, Little Rock parents should understand how to obtain this order from the court. An experienced attorney can help you navigate this process. Fourth, following the issuance of the pick-up order, parents should understand how to enforce the order and safely transition their child away from their counterpart. Fifth, in cases of extreme or ongoing non-compliance with an existing custody order, it may be possible to seek permanent changes in one’s arrangement. Finally, attempting to retrieve a child personally may have negative consequences on one’s parental rights, even when they believe they are justified in doing so. Self-help may create a dangerous atmosphere and inflame an already contentious situation.
I have experience in a variety of custody matters and am ready to assist you. Contact my office today to speak with a Little Rock attorney. I also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff, and throughout the rest of Arkansas.