Twelve years after the Supreme Court of Georgia first held that self -
executing change of custody provisions are not permissible [1], many questions still exist as to what is and is not permissible when it comes to changes in parenting plans that do not require court intervention.
The possible sanctions include: compensatory time with the children; economic sanctions for costs incurred by the non-violator parent due to the other parent's
custody or parenting time violation; modification
of the existing transportation (pick up / drop off arrangements)-- including
changing the exchange location to a public place; ordering counseling for either or both
of the parties and / or the children at the expense
of the violator; ordering a temporary or permanent modification
of the parenting time and custodial arrangement if under the circumstances this relief is in the best interests
of the children; ordering the violator to participate in a community service program; incarceration
of the violator with or without work - release; issuance
of a warrant to be
executed if the violator persists in failing to comply with court orders; any other appropriate equitable remedy.