Who should have to pay for this? What happens if i refuse?

[Anonymous]

We are in a ridiculous custody battle for my step kids, against the grandparents. Right now, we have split 50/50 custody, pending the end of all these court dates, for the real decision. We live 600 miles apart. The grandparents want us to pay for the kids to get back to them. We paid for them to get here, they need to pay for them to get back.... The custody agreement specifies that we split the costs. Thus, we pay when they come, they pay when they go back.... It is not my problem that they are poor and cant afford it.

Am i wrong for refusing to pay their share? What happens if they cant afford to come get them, is it them that violated the order, or is it us for not returning them??

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

It was never agreed upon, they basically stole the kids, and now to get it resolved, we have to split, until the judge fixes all this.

Quoting StevensCare4u:

 Why are the Grandparents any part of a custody order? They are NOT their children. That should never have been agreed to, thats the problem. IMO

[rosaleeandtwo]

That's insanity. Here grandparents get nothing unless they can show the children were basically abandoned. Why did they take your children?

Quoting Anonymous:

It is a crazy long story, but basically, they stole the kids, filed for custody, received temporary custody, and then went on a the run with them. We have been fighting for 3 years, thru 5 different states (because most states have a jurisdiction law, that the kids have to be there for 6 months, before they can hear the case, so every time the 6 months was almost up, they would move again.) We finally have them pinned down in idaho, and have a court order stating they cant leave the state, until this is resolved, but the judge granted split temporary custody with them, since they have had the kids for the last 3 years... Its supposed to help the kids transition back home or some ridiculous thing like that. Because of all this drama they caused, i dont have a lick of sympathy for them, and am not going to be helping them pay for travel...

Quoting rosaleeandtwo:

I don't know. What the hell state allows grandparents joint custody and how did they get it to begin with?

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Prison. That is how this whole mess started.

Quoting mommytothree07:

where is the mother

[LoriLou75]

You should consult an attorney.

[Maevelyn]

I would ask the court. Also how the hell did grandparents get 50% custody over the bio dad?

[jmetz4]

Call the court and let them know they cant pay. And make sure you document everything. Try comunicating through email or text mostly so its not a he said she said thing.

[charliebean]

Oh what a night... late December back in '63...

Quoting Starburst72:

oh what a mess

[alexsmomaubrys2]

Call and ask your lawyer. Personally, I wouldn't return them unless they were paying their half. LOL!

[Anonymous]

I would not pay there share. I would also call my lawyer and tell him that they are refusing to pick them up and so you what the custody agreement changed to full custody to you.

[sheramom4]

They are violating the court order. I would make sure to have in writing that they are refusing to pay the transportation costs and take that to court. Gte them to email it to you, text, send a certified letter askign what they plan to do about transporting the kids, whatever it takes.  They are in contempt. In fact, if they do not arrive to get the kids or pay for them to be transported most judges will say you have no obligation to do so and they are abandoning them. I would consult an attorney though....