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Pilar Sanders Loses Parenting Time After Violating Custody Plan

On Behalf of | Dec 22, 2014 | Child Custody |

Most parents in Oregon might assume that nothing could stand between them and access to their child, but what happens when an ex refuses to bring the children back? It’s understandable that a parent may end up confused, especially if he or she has a child custody agreement that explicitly spells out when parenting time is available for both parties. In many situations, petitioning the courts to have an agreement modified can be a successful option.

Former NFL star turned sports broadcaster Deion Sanders recently dealt with this situation. Ultimately, it took the involvement of local law enforcement and a court order to return his children to his care. According to Deion Sanders, his ex-wife, Pilar Sanders, has purposely violated the child custody agreement 16 times, and possible more. In most instances she kept the children longer than she was permitted and once even kept them over a week. Outside help was also needed in that instance.

After petitioning the court to have the agreement both enforced and modified, both Deion and Pilar Sanders appeared in court. Pilar Sanders claimed that she simply did not recognize any jurisdiction of the court, which was why she felt that she did not have to follow the custody agreement. Deion Sanders was granted the modification that he asked for, and ultimately Pilar Sanders lost all access to her children. For being found in contempt of court, she was also ordered to spend seven days in jail followed by a probation lasting approximately one year.

A clear and concise child custody agreement isn’t ultimately just for the benefit of the parents; it is put in place to protect any children involved and to make sure that their best interests are honored. If one parent decides that they no longer wish to follow the terms of the agreement and violates his or her parenting time, the other parent is not without options. By filing a motion to have a custody agreement modified, parents in Oregon are likely to discover that their children’s best interests will still be at the heart of the agreement.

Source: dallasnews.com, “Deion Sanders’ ex-wife jailed, loses rights to see kids”, Valerie Wigglesworth, Dec. 16, 2014

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