Can one parent make a medical decision concerning a child without the other parent's consent?

Answer 1

It depends on the situation, the custody, etc.

If you are a custodial parent and your ex has become or taken up with or married someone who has decided to be a Jehovah's Witness or is one, much of how the rest of it goes depends greatly on how the relationship is between the divorced parents and their maturity level...But JWs are a well known head ache.

However, you can have a legal document that the non custodial parent is to keep with them, or copies for both the non custodial and his wife or her husband to carry with them at all times that states the legal custodial parent consents to certain medical proceedures and authorizes it while in the care of the JWs.

It depends a great deal on what the medical decision is and why there is a problem.

If at least one party is considered emotionally fit, mature, normal, squared away, custodial or not, anything can be petitioned by the courts.

What you can do is start off and do your own leg work by internet searching state laws for your state or the other state if it is a factor as well, custody cases for your state or various other court cases as precident but know your state laws--know the state laws concerning where the custodial parent lives, and know you can appeal if there are grounds. Also, jurisdiction is where the custodial parent lives..the state and county. That's where court cases will take place.

Do an internet search for what it is you are looking for. Once you do that, go from there and seek professional legal help.

Know your legal rights and empower yourself effectively and intelligently.