Child Visitation / Parenting Time

Child Visitation, also known as parenting time is the right of the non custodial parent to see their children.

CHILD VISITATION PLAN

The latest trend in visitation is "virtual visitation". Currently Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin are allowing judges to include the use of webcams, e-mail, instant messaging, video calls such as Skype, and other technological tools to keep non-custodial parents in touch with their children. Virtual visitation has made it much easier for non-custodial parents to maintain a relationship with their children who have relocated to a different state.

As with most every aspect of divorce the more you and your ex can negotiate the better off you are, especially when it comes to a parenting plan. These are decisions that should be made by the parents and not left up to a judge to decide. This is probably the one area that will require the most joint cooperation and flexibility between the custodial parent and the non custodial parent.

There is no "model" schedule. Every family dynamic is different. When creating the parenting plan think creatively to put together a schedule that is uniquely matched to your family's everyday life. Parenting plans should be revisited and modified as the children grow and family situations change.

Try to stay away from schedules that are confusing. When developing a parenting plan keep in mind these factors: The child's age The child's school schedule and extracurricular activities The child's social life Parent's work schedule Vacation time Holidays The best interest of the child

One of the more common visitation schedules is for the non-custodial parent to have the children every other weekend from Friday night until Sunday night and one night per week from 5:00 - 9:00 for dinner. Depending on how close the non-custodial parent's home is to the child's school and the ability of the non-custodial to get the children to school, the weekday visitation could be an overnight instead of just a "Dinner time" visitation. While the standard visitation schedule is still common courts are now more flexible in setting parenting time.

Child Visitation and VACATIONS

Each parent should have vacation time with their children. The amount of vacation time that the child spends with each parent should be determined by what works best for each family. There are various factors that should be considered including the age of the child, school schedules including winter break, spring break, summer vacations and the parent's work schedules.

Child Visitation and HOLIDAYS

Holidays are commonly alternated every other year. While this may seem to be the most "fair" set up it may not necessarily work for every family. Some families have certain traditions for particular holidays. For instance, the father's family might have a Christmas Eve tradition while the mother's family has a big family gathering on Christmas day. In a case like this you might want to consider not alternating these holidays but to let the children be with their mother on one holiday and the father on the other. If you have to work on a holiday that the children are to spend with you, then you should allow the other parent to have the children on that day without "trading" for another holiday..

PICK UP AND DROP OFF

Do not use visitation pickup and drop-off as an opportunity to continue or begin an argument with your (ex) spouse. If you do not get along with your ex then remain in the car. When you arrive to pick up the children for their visitation let the children come out to you. Do not go inside.

Custodial Parent - Make sure the children are ready on time for their visitation..

Non Custodial Parent - Be on time. If you are going to be late, call your (ex) spouse as soon as possible and let him/her know what time you will be arriving. It's only fair to the children to let them know if you are going to be late.

In general, if you can be flexible when it comes to visitation or parenting time everone wins, especially the children. What it really comes down to is respect. You can't expect your children to be respectful to others if they don't see you being respectful. Always remember the best interest of the child!

Additional Child Custody and Visitation Resources:

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