It is a gut-wrenching experience. You show up for your scheduled weekend, heart full of plans, only to find a locked door or a “no-show” at the exchange point. When your child’s mother denies you access, it can feel like you are losing your family.
If you are a father in Tulsa being kept from your kids, and you have a court ordered visitation schedule, you have the legal right to enforce your visitation schedule. Under Oklahoma law, a court-ordered visitation schedule is not a suggestion—it is a mandate. To get back your time, you typically need to file a Motion to Enforce Visitation and/or an Application for Contempt Citation in the Tulsa County District Court.
At Dads.Law, we focus exclusively on helping Oklahoma fathers navigate these high-stress situations to ensure their children grow up with an active, involved dad.
Understanding Visitation Enforcement in Tulsa, Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, parenting time is not a favor one parent gives the other—it is a court-protected right once a judge signs an order. But those rights are not automatic. If a parent interferes with visitation, the other parent must take affirmative legal steps to enforce the order.
Oklahoma family law is built around a clear policy: children benefit from frequent and continuing contact with both parents, so long as each parent can act in the child’s best interests. Courts take interference with that contact seriously.
The Visitation Order
Everything starts with a written court order. A visitation or parenting schedule signed by a judge is what gives the court power to intervene.
- A verbal agreement, text message schedule, or “we’ve always done it this way” arrangement is not enforceable
- Police and judges can only act when there is a clear, written order
- If the order is vague or silent, enforcement becomes harder
At Dads.Law, one of the first things we look at is whether the order is specific enough to enforce in the way the father wishes.
Duty to Facilitate Visitation
Once a visitation order exists, both parents have a legal duty to follow it and not interfere with the other parent’s time. This includes:
- Making the child available at the correct time and place
- Not creating obstacles or last-minute excuses
- Not using the child as leverage in adult disputes
Courts do not require perfect cooperation—but they do expect parents to act in good faith. Repeated obstruction, cancellations, or manipulation can be grounds for court intervention.
Contempt of Court: What It Really Means
Contempt is the legal tool courts use when someone willfully violates a clear court order.
For visitation cases, contempt is typically used when:
- A parent repeatedly denies scheduled parenting time
- Exchanges are intentionally sabotaged
- The order is ignored without a valid reason
The goal of contempt is compliance, not punishment. Judges usually focus on:
- Getting visitation back on track
- Deterring future interference
- Restoring missed parenting time
Penalties can include fines, attorney’s fees, make-up visitation, or other corrective measures. Jail is possible but rare and usually reserved for extreme or repeated violations.
Make-Up Parenting Time
When a parent wrongfully interferes with visitation, courts can order additional parenting time to compensate for what was missed. This serves two purposes:
- It restores the child’s lost time with the other parent
- It discourages future interference
Judges view make-up time as a practical remedy that puts the focus back on the child, not the conflict.
The Practical Takeaway for Tulsa Fathers
If you have a court order and the other parent is not following it:
- You do not need to respect your ex’s new goalposts
- You do not need permission to practice your visitation
- You do need to file the correct enforcement action
In joint legal custody cases especially, enforcement is about holding both parents to the same rules.
How Dads.Law Supports Oklahoma Fathers
Navigating the legal system as a father can feel like an uphill battle. At Dads.Law, we don’t just provide legal advice; we provide a dedicated support system for men fighting for their families.
Strategic Enforcement
We don’t just file paperwork. We build a strategy designed to show the court that you are an involved, fit father who is being unfairly sidelined. We focus on the facts and the law to get you back in your child’s life as quickly as possible.
Clarifying “Grey Area” Orders
If your current divorce decree or paternity order is full of loopholes that the other parent is exploiting, we work to tighten that language. A “tight” order leaves no room for excuses.
Leveling the Playing Field
The “maternal preference” is technically a thing of the past in Oklahoma law, but old biases can still linger. We ensure the court sees you as an equal parent with equal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop paying child support if she won’t let me see my kids?
No. This is a common mistake that can land you in legal trouble. In Oklahoma, visitation and child support are treated as separate issues. If you stop paying support, you give the other side ammunition to use against you. The correct move is to keep paying support while your attorney at Dads.Law files to enforce your rights.
What if my child says they don’t want to come?
If your child is a minor, the custodial parent has a legal duty to facilitate the visit. A parent cannot simply “leave it up to the child.” Unless there is an immediate safety risk, the court-ordered schedule must be followed. If the child is being coached to refuse visits, this may be a sign of parental alienation.
Do I need a police report if I’m denied visitation?
No. If you do, the police will likely just tell you it’s a civil matter and encourage you to speak with your attorney. Only call the police if there is a true emergency and your child is in immediate danger.
How long does it take to get back into court?
The timeline varies based on the court’s docket, but filing a Motion to Enforce is the only way to start the clock. The relevant statute provides that there must be an initial hearing within 21 days and final resolution within 45 days. We can help to hold the court to that timeline. Waiting only makes the “new normal” of no visitation harder to break.
Take Action to Protect Your Relationship with Your Children
Your children need their father. Every day that passes without contact is a day of missed memories and weakened bonds. You don’t have to wait for the other parent to “allow” you to be a dad—you already have that right.
If you are a father in Tulsa or the surrounding Oklahoma areas and your visitation rights are being ignored, it’s time to take a stand.
Contact Dads.Law today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you enforce your rights and get back to being the father your children deserve.
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