ex refusing contact with daughters

[richard29]

My ex took the phone that i provided and pay for to keep in contact with my children away from them and refuses to return it to my daughter or to me!
Can i sue her for charges incured on the phone and for the phone?

 

[disagreeable]

Is there a reason you and mom cannot effectively co-parent?

 

[Proserpina]

My ex took the phone that i provided and pay for to keep in contact with my children away from them and refuses to return it to my daughter or to me!
Can i sue her for charges incured on the phone and for the phone?

No you can't sue her for charges.

You might though respectfully request that the phone is returned to its rightful owner.

Quick question though. Why do you need to be in contact with the kids if they're with the other parent?

 

[mightymoose]

Children don't own property, their parents do. Anything you give to your child when in the other parent's care is effectively in that parent's control.
The phone does not have to be returned to your daughter, however it seems to me you have a valid claim to it.
If she refuses to give you the phone you could try small claims, but that would only get you a judgment for the value of the phone, not the phone itself.
Personally I would have the phone deactivated and not give her another. You can contact her through her home phone or mom's cell phone.
If mom is obstructing you from reasonable contact then you can address that in the family court.

 

[richard29]

Thats a crazy question to ask why do i need to keep in contact with the kids what parent does not want to keep in contact with there child! The mother does not always anwser or return my calls. The daughter that had the phone is 14 and is in alot of activaties and the phone was given to her to be able to keep in touch with both parents.

 

[Proserpina]

Thats a crazy question to ask why do i need to keep in contact with the kids what parent does not want to keep in contact with there child! The mother does not always anwser or return my calls. The daughter that had the phone is 14 and is in alot of activaties and the phone was given to her to be able to keep in touch with both parents.

It's not a crazy question in the slightest.

Decent parents who've learned how to get along with the other parent regularly go nights, weekends and - get this! - ENTIRE WEEKS without having to call Junior every day.

It's insecurity on the part of the parent, to be honest. Why not pack them up (when it's visitation time) and say "Enjoy yourself at Mom's/Dad's, see you Monday/next week" and be done with it?

 

[shrinkmaster]

If Mom is denying you any right given you by courts you can take Mom back to court to address that violation.