minnesota visititation

My 16 yr. old wants to get a job, however his dad is telling him that he needs to keep his visits with him every other week end. Is he old enough to decide if he wants to work or go visit his dad? Can we take this issue to court and have the judge decide if he can work and go for visits on his week ends off we live about 3 hrs apart.? His dad also told us that the child support should be used for his gas $ for him to drive to his dads house. The poor kid just wants to work and have his own spending money!!

[Gbyte]

He shouldn't have to use child support provided to YOU to raise the child for his gas money. The father cannot dictate how that will be spent.

Many court orders actually state that as children age the parents need to be more flexible to allow the opportunity for work, school or friends. Explain to the father you are going to let your child get a job. If he doesn't allow him to go to work, you will need to file a motion with the courts (will likely need an attorney).

You may want to consult with a local attorney before you make any decisions how to proceed.

Thankyou for the info. His dad will not talk to me always has his wife send me text or emails which I currently have blocked due to her being nasty. But I have told him through text and so has my son that he wants to work and he refuses to let him do any thing if it involves missing a weekend and our court papers say we are to be flexible with the childern activities. Do I have to go to court before he can go to work? He has a couple job offers and I worry if he waits too long to give them an answer he won't have a job to worry about ( he has explained the situation to them), and if I just let him start working I think I could be found in contempt when he misses visits. Is that true? So, do I wait for court which could take months or do I just let him wok? Is he old enough to decide? Is there a set age for this decision? And what motion do I need to file? I can't afford an attorney! I just spent 20 grand for child support.

Thankyou for the info. His dad will not talk to me he always has his wife text me or email me which I have a block on now due to her being nasty. But I told him through text and so has my son that he wants to work amd he refuses to let him do anything that involves missing a weekend. Our court papers say to work together for the childerns activities but nothing about being flexible (I thought it did) Do I have to take this to court before I let him work? He has a couple offers and I worry if he waits too long he wont have any offers. He has explained the situation to the people during his interviews.And if I just let him start working I think I would be in contempt when he misses visits. Is this true? So, do I wait for court which could take months or do I just let him work? Is he old enough to decide? Is there a set age for visititation choices? And What motion do I need to file. I can't afford an attorney, I just spent 20 grand going to court for child support.

[Gbyte]

He can't "miss" visits. He'd have to go to his dads, then go to work and come back.

Have a consultation with a local attorney, they usually don't cost.