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Can Visitation With a Child Be Reduced Without Prior Notice in Arizona

Posted on : April 24, 2018, By:  Chris Hildebrand

The Short Answer

Some people may ask can visitation with a child be reduced without prior notice in Arizona. The short answer is “no” with one pretty major exception.

The Arizona Court of Appeals in the case of Contreras v. Bourke ruled that parenting time cannot be reduced without the parent receiving proper notice that his or her parenting time may be reduced prior to the hearing at which the parenting time is reduced.

This is based upon the Due Process Clause of the Constitution, which requires a parent to receive notice of a hearing aimed at reducing his or her parenting time and an opportunity to defend oneself at that hearing.

The major exception to the ruling in the Contreras v. Bourke case is when a child’s safety is at imminent risk of harm and, therefore, the judge issues an order terminating contact between the parent and the child.

Even then, the judge must schedule a quick hearing to allow that parent to present evidence that an emergency does not actually exist. Continue reading about the case of Contreras v. Bourke to learn more.

The Long Answer

In the unpublished decision of Contreras v. Bourke, the Arizona Court of Appeals addressed whether a mother, Nancy, was denied due process of law when an Arizona family court judge issued an order decreasing the amount of time she could spend with the parties’ child.

It is important to note this decision was not published by the Arizona Court of Appeals, which means you may not cite this decision as the authority in support of your position with some limited exceptions.

The pertinent facts were that the Court issued a Temporary Child Custody Order granting parenting time to both Roger and Nancy.

That Temporary Order also provided for an increase in Nancy’s parenting time when the parties’ child turned three years old.

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The court subsequently held a final trial and issued a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage granting Nancy and the child’s father, Roger, specific rights of parenting time, but neglected to include the Temporary Orders provision increasing Nancy’s parenting time when the child turned three years old.

After subsequent disputes continued to arise between the parties, the Court appointed a Parenting Coordinator to assist in resolving the day to day disputes that may arise between the parties regarding the implementation of the parenting plan set forth in the parties’ Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.

The assigned Parenting Coordinator issued a report to the court requesting clarification of the parenting plan set forth in the final Decree.

Specifically, the Parenting Coordinator inquired as to whether the court made an error in the Decree when it failed to provide for an increase in Nancy’s parenting time when the child reached the age of three.

The trial court responded to the inquiry by indicating it had made the mistake and that it intended to provide for an increase in Nancy’s parenting time when the child turned three years of age.

The court then directed the Parenting Coordinator to make a recommendation to expand Nancy’s parenting time and minimize contact between the parties.

The Parenting Coordinator subsequently submitted a recommendation to the Court. Father’s sole objection to the report was to the Parenting Coordinator’s recommendation that the parent scheduled to receive parenting time shall pick up the child from daycare no earlier than 12:30 pm.

Father wanted the court to order that neither parent may pick up the child earlier than 4:30 pm.

Reduction of Parenting Time Not Allowed Without Notice in Arizona

Can Visitation With a Child Be Reduced Without Prior Notice in Arizona

The court scheduled a trial on Roger’s objection and subsequently issued an order modifying parenting time.

That order actually decreased Nancy’s parenting time with the parties’ child.

Nancy appealed the court’s decrease in her parenting time. Her appeal was that she was denied due process of law. The Arizona Court of Appeal agreed.

The Arizona Court of Appeals held that at no time did the Parenting Coordinator nor Father file a Petition to Modify Parenting Time and, thus, Nancy had no prior notice that a decrease in her parenting time was at issue before the hearing.

As a result, she did not present evidence she otherwise would have presented had she received prior notice a decrease in her parenting time could be ordered.

The court also concluded that although the court asked the Parenting Coordinator to provide a recommendation for the implementation of Nancy’s increased parenting time when the child turned three, the Court could not ask the parenting coordinator to issue recommendations decreasing Mother’s parenting time by even one day because that would violate Rule 74(E) precluding a Parenting Coordinator from making a recommendation that would “substantially” decrease her parenting time.

The take away from this case is that the filing of an objection to a Parenting Coordinator’s report does not permit a court to decrease a parent’s parenting time unless that parent also files a Petition for Modification of Parenting Time requesting a decrease in the other parent’s parenting time.

Also, the court violates a parent’s constitutional right to due process by subsequently decreasing a parent’s parenting time under such circumstances.

The other take away is that a Parenting Coordinator cannot make a recommendation that would reduce a parent’s parenting time by as little as one day.

If you have questions about reduced child visitation without notice in an Arizona divorce case, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona child custody and family law attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in child custody and family law cases.

Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.

Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your Arizona child custody or family law case around today.

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