Reply #176: Not really [View All]

The laws on the books simply need to be better enforced, against all parties. In every state that I am aware of, the custodial parent must allow for court ordered visitation regardless of the status of child support payments. As it should be, since the court has determined that visitation with the non-custodial parent is in the best interest of the child. When a custodial parent breaches that order, s/he should be held in contempt of court and handled appropriately. When the non-custodial parent refuses to pay support that has been ordered, s/he should also face other consequences. The laws are written in favor of the child and are to consider the child's best interests at all times. The problems arise when the parents don't follow the laws and the court's orders.

So maybe you are correct in that some reform is needed, but it is in the enforcement of the laws and not their terms.