My Child has Not Returned from a Scheduled Visit with Their Non-Custodial Parent. How Long is “Too Long” Before I Should Act?
We would be hard-pressed to find even a single person who hasn’t been late for something in their life. From delays on the freeway due to rush-hour traffic, to unexpected roadblocks that come up in everyday life, emergencies, and medical disasters, it is not unusual for a person to miss an appointment or deadline every once in a while, even if they are the punctual type. However, the situation becomes more dire and concerning when the scheduled appointment is the return of a child from a visit with their non-custodial parent. Even a thirty-minute delay can cause a Chicago parent to go into a panic. But how long is “too long” before a Chicago parent should do something when a non-custodial parent is late for a drop-off after a scheduled visitation? To help Chicago parents better understand the importance of acting fast, and when, we provide three helpful tips for knowing when a delay is too long.
Tip #1: Refer to the Parenting Plan and Visitation Schedule
At the outset, to truly know the “lay of the land”, a Chicago parent should refer to their parenting plan or custody agreement and visitation schedule to confirm when their child should be returned to them from a scheduled visit. This important document should outline the court-ordered or agreed-upon schedule and the ins-and-outs of pickups and drop-offs and the timing of scheduled visits. If a visit is not compliant with the court order or custody agreement, then there may be cause for concern.
#2. Communicate with the Non-Custodial Parent
Have you tried getting in touch with your ex and they won’t pick up the phone or answer a text? If so, this could be cause for alarm. It is important to try to get in touch with your child’s non-custodial parent to see if there is a reasonable explanation or cause for a delay in returning your child. If the child’s non-custodial parent does not answer, or their reason for being late to a scheduled drop-off does not make sense, it may make sense to leap into action and take next steps to protect your child from a child abduction.
#3. Speak with an Experienced Chicago International Family Law Hague Convention Lawyer
If you suspect that your child’s non-custodial parent may abduct your child internationally from Chicago, it is important to speak with a Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyer as soon as possible about your concerns. It is best not to hesitate, as it may be very difficult to locate a child once they have been abducted by a non-custodial parent, especially overseas. The experienced Chicago international family law Hague convention lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC help Chicago parents with international family law matters and Hague convention cases. Contact the experienced Chicago international family law Hague convention lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC and speak with an experienced Chicago lawyer about your rights, options, and next steps now.
