Child as a witness

For a child custody case, if the non-custodial parent’s attorney sent a subpeona for the minor to testify, can that be stopped? Non-custodial parent has indicated under oath that they don’t want their child to testify. Primary custodial parent does not want the minor to testify. Minor child indicates they don’t want to go to court at all. Non-custodial parent’s attorney seems to just be employing bully tactics. After two months and delays at the courthouse, seems unreasonable that the child can’t even go to summer camp and will spend their whole summer on call waiting with dates scheduled and re-scheduled.

Yes, it’s possible for the minor child not to testify but generally a party can subpoena and call any witness they want. You can file a motion to quash the subpoena and/or to object to the minor child’s testimony.

Generally judges do not want to hear from a minor child that is the subject of a custody case unless the minor child is the only witness to an important set of events.

It is also possible for the minor child to testify in chambers with the judge instead of testifying on the witness stand as other witnesses would. This is generally handled more like a conversation instead of the formal questions and cross examinations.


Anna Ayscue

Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest

Rosen Online | Unlimited confidential access to a North Carolina attorney for $199/mo - click here

The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations.

Under what grounds can someone object to a minor child’s testimony? Under what grounds can a motion to quash be filed for a minor child witness? Dragging on after six months as the courts are clogged up with cases, and its a “case in progress”

You can object to a minor child’s testimony for good cause, for example, for the fact that the child will be placed in the middle of a controversy between Mom and Dad, especially if the child is not the only witness to a material fact.

The court can quash a subpoena for a number of grounds, some of which are:
(1) the subpoena subjects a person to undue burden or expense
(2) the subpoena is unreasonable or oppressive
(3) the subpoena is procedurally defective

Motions to quash a subpoena must be filed within 10 days after being served with the subpoena.


Anna Ayscue

Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest

Rosen Online | Unlimited confidential access to a North Carolina attorney for $199/mo - click here

The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations.