After a divorce or separation, the court issues a parenting plan that spells out how legal decision-making and parenting time will be shared between both parents. When one parent ignores or violates that plan, it creates real harm — not just frustration. If you are dealing with a co-parent who is not following the court’s orders, here is what you need to know.

What Counts as a Violation?

A violation of a parenting plan can take many forms. One of the most common involves unilateral medical decisions — for example, taking a child to a new pediatrician without notifying the other parent or getting their agreement, when joint legal decision making is in place. Other frequent violations include withholding parenting time, enrolling a child in a new school without the other parent’s input, or making educational decisions without consultation.

Arizona parenting plans are legally binding orders. Judges issue them with the expectation that both parties will follow them. If something needs to change, the proper path is to go back to court — not to simply act on your own.

What Should You Do If It Happens?

The most important first step is documentation. Use email, text messages, or a dedicated co-parenting communication app — Our Family Wizard is a widely used option that creates a clear, timestamped record of all communications. When a violation occurs, document the date, exactly what happened, and any communications that followed. Be specific. If the matter ever goes before a judge, that contemporaneous record will be your strongest evidence.

When to Get an Attorney Involved

Not every violation warrants an immediate court filing, but if violations are recurring — particularly around legal decision making, parenting time, schooling, or medical decisions — it is time to speak with an attorney. In many cases, an attorney can send a formal letter to the other party outlining the violations and demanding compliance. That letter itself becomes documented evidence if you need to file a Petition to Enforce with the court.

A general guideline: if it has happened two or three times, or if the violations involve parenting time being withheld, do not wait too long. Courts do not want to assume you were comfortable with what was happening.

Can the Court Change Legal Decision-Making?

Yes. If one parent is consistently making unilateral decisions — choosing doctors, schools, or activities without involving the other parent — and there is no legitimate reason for it, a court can modify the legal decision-making arrangement. You can petition the court to grant you sole legal decision-making authority, which would allow you to make binding decisions for your child without needing the other parent’s agreement.

This is not a step courts take lightly, but it is available when the facts support it. The court’s primary concern is always what is in the best interest of the child.

If your co-parent is not following your legal decision-making and parenting time orders, you do not have to simply accept it. Document what is happening, seek legal guidance, and know that the court has real tools to enforce its orders.