Success Story - Ignore the Terms of Your Parenting Agreement at Your Own Peril

Background:
Our client, a dedicated father, reached out to Lavelle Law after years of frustration. For more than three years, the mother of his child had consistently refused to fulfill her share of the transportation responsibilities outlined in their parenting agreement. While this was the most glaring issue, several other disputes remained, including the exact amount of child support arrearages owed, a request to modify ongoing child support, and attorney’s fees.

Challenges:
Despite the agreement’s explicit language regarding driving duties, the mother refused to honor her obligations. She justified her non-compliance by claiming the father owed her money. Our team worked diligently to resolve the matter amicably. We provided clear documentation of the father’s child support payments and arrearages and made a reasonable settlement offer. However, the mother rejected all attempts at negotiation, insisting she “wanted every last penny” she believed she was owed and “wanted her day in court.”

Result:
After a contested hearing, the court ruled strongly in our client’s favor. The judge set the modified child support and confirmed arrearages at the exact amounts the father had previously offered in settlement. Most notably, the court reduced the father’s child support arrearage by half due to the mother’s intentional and prolonged refusal to provide her share of the transportation. The court also ordered the mother to pay a substantial portion of the father’s attorney’s fees.