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Some Florida parents face unexpected child custody disputes

by | Sep 30, 2017 | Child Custody

When a spouse is preparing to divorce, it is perfectly normal to worry about how contentious the process will become. Very few people want to move through the process with a high degree of discontent with their soon-to-be ex. In reality, however, it is impossible to control the way that another person will choose to move through the divorce process. For many Florida parents, child custody negotiations take an unexpected turn for the worse.

An example is found in a current case that has placed a mother at risk of jail time for failing to comply with a court order. The woman holds strong beliefs about the safety of immunization. She and her husband intentionally delayed immunizing their son so that he would not receive multiple vaccinations in a short period of time.

However, once the marriage came to an end and the mother received primary custody of the boy, the father asked the court to compel her to bring their son’s immunizations up to date. That would require multiple vaccinations in a short period of time. That is exactly the outcome that the couple agreed to avoid when he was still an infant.

This leaves the mother with a choice. She can refuse to obey the court order and stand by her beliefs, which could result in being sent to jail. Or, she can arrange the vaccinations for her child to meet the demands of the court, but violate her strongly held opinions concerning the safety of immunizations.

This case serves as an example of how quickly things can become complicated between a divorcing couple. For Florida parents who are preparing to end a marriage, it is important to understand that it is never possible to predict the manner in which one’s partner will act throughout the divorce process. As the old saying goes, a wise approach may involve hoping for the best, yet preparing for the worst.

Source: detroit.cbslocal.com, “Mother Faces Tough Decision: Vaccinate Your Child Or Go To Jail“, Sept. 28, 2017

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