Question #5: 1. Can a non-custodial Parent force a fifteen year old child to visit if the child has a stated desire not to visit this parent? 2. What are the particulars of Ohio laws and/or any related cases for this? 3. If taken into domestic court, would the judge, arbitrator, or mediator take the wishes, statements and desires of the child into consideration? 4. Is the custodial parent in contempt if they do not force the child to go with the visitation parent? If so, how does one force a child of that age to comply?

Answer:
I can not advise you about specific Ohio statutes or case law regarding your question about visitation rights but I can tell you that in general courts to take into consideration the feelings of minor children, especially teenagers who exhibit maturity of thought and mind, but such feelings and opinions of the children alone will not be determinative in every situation and it will be up to the judge to decide whether to enforce the visitation or not.
If the custodial parent is interfering with the ability of the non-custodial parent to develop a positive relationship with the child, which includes disparaging and negative remarks being made about the non-custodial parent, or is in any other way interfering with the relationship, the courts will take necessary steps including sanctions against the custodial parent.
Leonard M. Weiner, Esq./Divorce Solutions