Is a father legally obligated by law to take his child to their extra-curricular events?

Question

My ex and I have joint custody of our daughter,now 7, however, I have primary residency and make all decisions in regards to her. He has visitation every third weekend. Is he legally obligated to take her to her lessons and other extra-curricular events while she is in his care? We live 75 mins from each other and she does not want to go with her father on his weekends. Is her not attending her events, lessons and competitions not 'in the best interest of the child'?

Answer 1

No, he is not. Too many ex's enroll their children in activities to thwart the visitation process. You will need to enroll the child in activities that do not interfere with visitation.

Answer 2

Nothing legal that I am aware of. Of course sometimes a judge will write something different into the orders, and in that case he must abide by it.  

Answer 3

.   Not legally obligated.  That would be negotiated in the divorce decree.

Answer 4

Sounds to me like you are making your child participate in extracurricular activities that she doesn't want to participate in.  It also sounds to me like her father is not making her do anything she doesn't want to do.  There's no legal obligation to a child attending extracurricular activities.

Answer 5

Sheesh, that's a very good question.  I would say he is not obligated by the letter of the law to take the child to her activites "best intrest" clause not withstanding.

I think you should speak to your divorce lawyer about this and keep us posted.  I would be he would agree with me, but this may give you the chance to "tweek" his visitation so it doesn't conflict with these activites.

Good luck!  What a dirt bag (the father, not you!)

Answer 6

no he isn't legally obligated. This is another case of the mother manipulating the child against the dad. You need to help foster the relationship between her and her dad. You are the primary custodial parent and with that comes some responsibilities. You dont just get to do what ever and leave dad out of the picture. he gets to see his daughter once every 3 weeks and your concerned about some activities. I think you need to be concerned, and this is in the BEST interest of the child, with the child's relationship with her father.

Does he pay child support? You said you and your new husband pay and NOT the dad. If he pays CS then he is paying and should be given respect of helping pay for his child.  

Answer 7

>> Is he legally obligated to take her to her lessons and other extra-curricular events while she is in his care? <<

No.  

>> We live 75 mins from each other and she does not want to go with her father on his weekends. <<

We don't let kids decide whether to go to school, visit the doctor or dentist, go to church or see their grandparents. For the same reason we don't give them the choice to see their parents.  

It is your obligation to assist in scheduling her time so as NOT to routinely interfere with her other parent's contact.  There are unavoidable exceptions when things are scheduled on particular weekends.  Typically these things are worked out -- for instance by make up time with the other parent.  

Kids are parties to their parent's divorce & they have to make adjustments too.  Get this straight with her early on & you'll avoid years of conflict, anger, resentment  & expense on your part, your ex's part & her part.