Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers | April 30, 2025 | Child Custody In Bergen County, NJ
Co-parenting a teenager can come with its own set of challenges. One situation that often leaves parents feeling helpless is when a teenager refuses to return from parenting time with their other parent. If this happens, you may feel frustrated, confused, or unsure of what your legal options are.
While teens may have strong opinions, it’s important to remember that court orders still matter. Whether your teen is upset over house rules or simply wants to spend more time with the other parent, the issue must be addressed carefully and legally.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to handle this kind of situation, what rights both parents have, and what steps you can take to protect your child and stay compliant with the law.
Understand Your Parenting Plan
The first thing to check is your parenting time or custody agreement. This document outlines the court-ordered schedule for when your child should be with each parent. If your teenager refuses to return on time, your ex could be violating this order, even if the teen is choosing to stay.
Courts expect both parents to follow the schedule unless they have permission to change it. If your ex is encouraging the child to stay longer or refusing to cooperate, this could be grounds for legal action.
To better understand how parenting plans are enforced, check out law firm family law practice pages or explore their FAQ section on custody enforcement.
Consider the Reasons Behind Your Teen’s Behavior
Before reacting, take a moment to understand why your teen doesn’t want to return. Some common reasons include:
- Feeling more relaxed or free at the other house
- Conflict or tension at your home
- Wanting to avoid school or responsibilities
- Stronger emotional connection to the other parent
In some cases, the teen may be acting out due to a deeper issue. Keeping an open line of communication can help uncover what’s really going on.
If your child is refusing to return due to safety concerns or emotional abuse, that’s a much more serious situation. Learn more about modifying custody by visiting our child custody practice page.
Communicate With Your Co-Parent First
If your teenager refuses to come back from parenting time, try to reach out to your ex calmly. They may not realize the importance of returning the child on time or may be unsure how to handle the situation themselves.
Let them know that while your teen’s feelings matter, you both need to follow the court order. Offer to work together on finding a solution that honors your agreement and respects the child’s needs. If your ex refuses to cooperate or is intentionally interfering with your parenting time, you may need to take legal action.
Document Everything
If the issue continues, keep records of:
- Missed return dates and times
- Text messages or emails with your ex
- Conversations with your child about why they won’t return
This documentation could be helpful if you decide to go back to court. Judges want to see that you’ve tried to resolve the issue before taking legal steps.
Can a Teen Decide Where To Live?
Many parents ask, “Can my teen choose which parent to live with?” In most states, the court may consider the teen’s opinion, but only as one factor. Teens usually cannot override a custody order on their own.
The court will look at the teen’s age, maturity, and reasoning. If a judge agrees that a change is in the teen’s best interest, they may allow the order to be modified. Until then, both parents are legally required to follow the current agreement.
What Legal Steps Can You Take?
If the problem continues and your ex refuses to return your teen, you have a few legal options:
- File a motion to enforce the custody order
- Request a custody modification if your teen’s needs have changed
- Ask the court for mediation to resolve the dispute
Before filing anything, consider consulting with a family law attorney to better understand your rights.
Handling Teen Refusal
It can be emotionally draining when your teen refuses to return home after parenting time with your ex. However, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Understanding your parenting plan, keeping calm communication, and knowing your legal rights can help you take the right steps forward.
Contact the Bergen County Family and Divorce Law Firm of Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers for more help
Contact the experienced family attorneys at Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers today for legal assistance. Visit our law office in Bergen County or give us a call at (201) 487-1199 to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Bergen County Law Office
1 University Plaza Dr #400, Hackensack, NJ 07601, United States