Parental Kidnapping

North Carolina Divorce Law Divorce and Separation Answers
1

Dear Atpeace:

Greetings. I am sorry that you are dealing with someone who has such a problem dealing with their anger. No, you have not done anything wrong or close to parent kidnapping. In the future, do not schedule appointments during his time, no matter what.

Send him the information on offering “make up time” again by e-mail or written correspondence (keeping a copy).

My advice to people in similiar situations (with unreasonable and angry spouses) is to follow the order to the letter. Never deviate, unless there is an emergency. Keep your head up, because sooner or later he will find someone else to bully through life! Best of luck.

Janet L. Fritts
Attorney with Rosen Divorce
4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
RosenDivorce.com
919-787-6668

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 but a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action.

2

My soon-to-be-ex husband had visitation until 6pm on the date in question. I had made a dentist appointment for both myself and our daughter - it was to be her first so I wanted her to observe me get my cleaning so she was comfortable with it. I had told her Dad about the appointment at the time I made the appointment, which was a couple months ago since they book up quickly. I picked her up at 2:30pm from school and we went to the appointment, which were two back-to-back ones starting at 3:20pm. At 5:00pm he calls me on my mobile phone and asked where she was - he had gone to the afterschool care program and she wasn’t there. I reminded him of the appointment. He accused me of purposefully not reminding him, that I was cutting into his time, called me several names (I have a 50(b) order already) and said he was going to have me charged with parental kidnapping and that I “hadn’t heard the end of this”. I don’t think he can really do that, especially since I didn’t even leave the county, but wondered what recourse, if any, he has. I offered for him to choose a date and time at his convenience to make up the time, but he said he was too busy this week. (Yet he fights for more time - go figure.) Sorry this is long - I thought circumstantial details might make a difference.