The Question:
My 16-year-old daughter hasn’t seen her father in more than four years. Now he’s trying to enforce his parenting time, but she’s refusing. What will happen?
RJ Says:
Judges in Arizona expect both parents to follow the current court orders—even when circumstances have changed—until those orders are legally modified. If your daughter is refusing contact with her father, and you do not follow the existing parenting time order, you risk being found in contempt of court, regardless of your daughter’s wishes.
That said, a four-year absence is a substantial change, and it’s very likely the court would view this as grounds to modify parenting time. You should strongly consider filing a Petition to Modify Legal Decision-Making and Parenting Time. This allows the judge to reassess the arrangement based on what is now in your daughter’s best interests.
You can also ask the court to interview your daughter as part of the process. Arizona does not give children the legal power to decide parenting time on their own at any specific age. However, the court will consider a child’s maturity, relationship with each parent, and preferences. As teens get older, their input tends to carry more weight—especially when tied to valid concerns or long periods of estrangement.
Don’t wait for conflict to escalate. Proactively filing to modify the current order shows that you’re acting in good faith and trying to protect your child’s well-being.
A qualified and experienced family law attorney can assist you in filing the appropriate paperwork and presenting your case effectively. Our office offers free half-hour consultations, where we can evaluate your situation and develop a plan. Call (602) 256-7575 to schedule yours today.