What happens if a child physically refuses to cooperate with a custody exchange?

Growing up, it never posed a problem, but what if I had chosen otherwise and said, “Nope, I’m not going back”?

Custody was split between Pennsylvania and North Carolina, with significant animosity between my parents. It’s likely either would have reacted strongly, trying to use any leverage they had against the other.

But by age 13, they couldn’t have physically forced me into a car if I refused.

So, legally, what options would I and the parent involved have faced if I had caused such a conflict? Would family court handle it? Could there have been legal repercussions?

dear parents,If you’re experiencing this scenario, it may be beneficial to seek advice from a family law attorney. They can offer tailored guidance according to your circumstances and the legal regulations applicable in your area.

When I was a sophomore in high school, my lacrosse teammate attempted to run away from her mom’s house since his dad was coming for a custodial visit.

He hadn’t seen his dad since he was 14 because the parents lived in Maryland and Texas respectively. He told me that his dad was absent and abusive and so it was one of the many reasons why he wanted to crush at my place or his uncle’s.

Long story short, the courts declared that he had valid reasons to excommunicate his father. I think he ended up staying with his uncle the whole year, who advised him to appoint him as his guardian and file for the court injunction

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Hi pink,
If a child refuses to cooperate with a custody exchange:

Stay calm and avoid escalating the situation.
Communicate calmly to understand the reasons for refusal.
Follow the court order while ensuring the child’s safety.
Document the refusal and relevant details.
Consider mediation or counseling if needed.
Seek legal advice if the issue persists or escalates.

Handling these situations patiently and adhering to legal guidelines is key to resolving custody exchanges effectively.

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