What can I do if there are disputes between a parents in a child custody situation? 4 Answers as of October 28, 2011

I have a grandson, he is 1 year old and 1 month. He is a bright intelligent little guy. My question is with regards to his given name (birth name). My daughter is 19, the father of the child is 24 and of Indian decent. He refuses to call the child by his given name "Dominic", and insists and demands he be called "Riyhann". They were never married, hardly knew each other, he denied the child was his, all the way until the state made him take a paternity test(California). But he and his family refuse to call the child by his given name, and are very openly disrespectful to my daughter in the child's presence. The father knows this upsets her and when he returns the child, he will always make a point to sat the name he has demanded, at least 5-10 times before he will try to return the child to her. He is very openly hostile to her. Is there anything legally that we can do?

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The Law Office of Erin Farley | Erin Farley

Is there a custody order in place? If not, get one. If there is, review the order: most often there will be terms ordering the parties to be respectful and businesslike in the presence of the child. I also include orders stating that each party must prevent others from being disrespectful in front of the child. If these orders are included, file a contempt action. If the orders are not included, contact an attorney and get them. Children view themselves as one-half Mom and one-half Dad. Any kind of negative comment or behavior about a parent witnessed by a child directly affects this little child's sense of self. You can not litigate a sense of integrity or good parenting into dad; but you can refuse to allow improper behavior, and you can request he attend parent education classes.

Answer Applies to: California

Replied: 10/12/2011

Patricia C. Van Haren, Attorney at Law | Patricia Van Haren

Your question does not indicate whether or not there are current orders in place for custody and visitation. Your daughter may wish to modify the visitation so that the drop-off and pick-up location is in a public place. Further, if there are issues with the father changing the name of the child, your daughter may wish to petition the court to make orders that the father use the child's birth name. You may wish to consult with a family law attorney so that the proper orders can be put into place.

Answer Applies to: California

Replied: 10/12/2011