The Question:
What happens if one parent refuses to work with the Court-Appointed Advisor (CAA) during a custody battle? The father in my case emailed the CAA and said he would not pay or participate.
RJ Says:
If a parent refuses to cooperate with the Court-Appointed Advisor, that refusal will almost certainly be noted in the CAA’s report—or directly reported to the court before the report is submitted. Either way, this refusal is likely to work strongly in your favor.
Arizona courts appoint a CAA to help assess what’s in the child’s best interests, particularly in high-conflict legal decision-making and parenting time disputes. When one parent outright refuses to cooperate, it raises serious concerns.
Here’s what may happen as a result:
The CAA may submit a report that clearly outlines the parent’s refusal to participate, which reflects poorly on that parent’s ability to co-parent.
The court may impose financial sanctions or reallocate the cost of the CAA’s services—requiring you to pay upfront, but ordering reimbursement from the non-cooperative parent.
The court may also award attorney’s fees in your favor based on the other party’s unreasonable conduct.
You can further argue that this behavior shows a pattern of unwillingness to co-parent, and that refusing to engage in the process suggests the parent is not acting in the children’s best interests—a key factor in any custody decision.
In short, refusing to cooperate with a Court-Appointed Advisor can carry serious legal and financial consequences, and it will almost never be seen as a neutral act.
A qualified and experienced family law attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure the court understands the impact of the other parent’s refusal. Our office offers free half-hour consultations, where we can review your situation and develop a strategy. Call (602) 256-7575 to schedule yours today.