Child Visitation
When parents can't come to an agreement on visitation arrangements, a hearing will be scheduled before the court, in order for the requesting parent to request a court-approved arrangement. The court typically takes the stance that a child's wellbeing is served best when both parents remain actively involved in their lives.
At Ashley A. Andrews APC, we offer guidance towards a variety of visitation arrangements for separated parents and their children, such as unsupervised visitation, supervised visitation and virtual visitation via video conferencing technology. We are committed to providing services tailored to your individual needs and those of your family members.
When parents are unable to reach an agreement regarding the visitation of their children, they may ask a court to intervene. During a hearing, parents can make a request to the court for supervised or unsupervised visitation with their child. In such cases, courts generally seek to uphold the best interests of the child, in order to ensure they benefit from having both parents involved in their life.
Types of Child Visitation
When parents cannot come to an agreement on visitation rights for their children, a court hearing may be scheduled. The courts recognize the importance of both parents being involved in the life of their child and are willing to grant requests that benefit the best interests of the child.
In these cases, visitation rights can be granted through supervised or unsupervised visits, or virtual visitation by video conferencing.
Supervised Visits
Supervised visits refer to visits with parental presence or another approved guardian or chaperone. These types of visits may be mandated if either parent is considered unfit for unsupervised contact due to a history of drug abuse, domestic violence, criminal activity or other concerns. Supervised visits occur when one parent has expressed concern that leaving the child with the other parent alone could lead to possible harm and require another adult to supervise them while they interact with one another.
Unsupervised Visits
Unsupervised visits typically refer to direct contact between a child and a parent without any third-party oversight. Generally speaking, if both parties are in agreement, this type of visitation is likely more beneficial for both parents and the child alike. Unsupervised visits are allowed when there is a belief that no harm will come to the child as a result of this type of visitation.
Virtual Visits
Additionally, virtual visitation through video conferencing can provide another method for maintaining regular contact between two households when traditional face-to-face visits may not be feasible due to distance or financial restrictions. This type of communication helps keep loved ones connected over long distances by utilizing online audio and video services like Skype or Facetime.
Can a child refuse visitation?
A question that often arises is if a child can refuse visitation with their parent. Unfortunately, it isn’t always up to the child's preference and any denial or refusal of a court order may result in consequences for all parties involved. Ultimately, it is best to abide by any decision made by the court in order to avoid complications for all those affected by these decisions.
It's important to note that, even if an arrangement has been approved by the court, a child can still refuse visits with their noncustodial parent at any time. If this happens it is recommended that the custodial parent attempt to work with both parties' lawyers in order to resolve the issue without needing court intervention again.
We'll always do what's in the best interests of the child. When possible, a parenting agreement will establish the visitation schedule. That plan will determine which parent has primary custody, details of any required support and other particulars about how to raise the child. In some cases, when a parent or child moves away, visitation schedules can be more difficult to arrange.
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This material is provided for educational purposes only. Providing this information does not establish an attorney/client relationship. None of the information contained in this blog should be acted upon without first consulting with an attorney. Should you have questions about the content of this blog, please arrange to discuss via a consultation.