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Question: How legally binding is a document from court-ordered mediation?

Last-Wife's picture

When Loca Grande tried to get custudy changed to her 2 years ago (after 10 years! of us doing ALL the work), the same judge from the original ruling told her she was crazy and sent us all to court-ordered mediation.

Things like sports, college, cars and updates in visitation were discussed and plans were documented. We even made a plan for graduation parties.

The biggie was braces. Since she backed out of paying any part of Princess's braces, she volunteered to pay all of PITA's ortho bills.

We got it in writing. Now, she's trying to back out- for the second time!

She started the process last fall, and then got mad at him and said she wouldn't pay. Now she started it all up again and now she's claiming she has thyroid cancer and is trying to back out. She's refusing to take him to his appointment tomorrow, and left a message on our machine saying she wouldn't pay. She even told PITA it wasn't that important...

I know each state is different, but can a modification agreement be enforced? Can we just take PITA and have the bills sent to her and the court arrange for her paycheck to be docked or something like that?

She has no other financial obligation to these children. she has never had to pay a penny of child support. Loghead just wanted the kids. As long as she agreed to transporting the kids for her visits- to and from- and providing their needs when they were at her house, he didn't want her money.

Over the years, she chips in when she can. She's paid for some sports stuff and buys some school supplies. She's best at providing the non-essentials we say "no" to- xbox, cell phones, skateboards, etc.

Comments

Jsmom's picture

Here mediation is mandated and you only go to court if mediation doesn'twork. They have to follow what is set in mediation or you go to the judge and have it enforced.

Tx mommy of 3's picture

In TX whatever is agreed upon in mediation then goes to a judge to be signed. After that it IS court ordered. Meaning if you go to mediation for any modifications and both parties agree and sign, then they type up a new decree with the new modifications and that becomes the new decree to go by. Yes it can be enforced so I'd be calling an attorney for advice on how to enforce it.