It is generally in the best interests of a child that both parents are involved in their upbringing. However, following a divorce, the family structure may change, but that does not mean that either parent is entirely secluded from discharging their parental responsibilities. In fact, the courts advocate for both parents’ involvement in the child’s life.
If the separating parents agree to a schedule, the court will let them decide on child visitation. If they cannot agree, the courts will issue visitation orders. Such orders allow non-custodial parents to spend time with their children regularly. Some common types of visitation are outlined below.
Unsupervised visitation
This is perhaps the most common visitation arrangement where the parents are permitted to take the children to their homes during their scheduled visitation. Sometimes, depending on circumstances, limitations may be applied. For instance, it may not be prudent to take a breastfeeding child away from the mother under the guise of visitation rights.
Supervised visitation
Supervised visitations are ordered when the non-custodial parent may pose a danger to the child. For example, if they have a history of abuse, they cannot be left alone with the child. Another adult, appointed by the court or mutually agreed upon by the parents, must be present during such visits.
Virtual visitation
This type of visitation is done by use of video conferencing technology. While it may not be the ideal scenario when compared with physical contact, visual visitation affords some child-parent time, especially when the distance makes frequent in-person visits impossible.
Protect your visitation rights
In most cases, courts grant non-custodial parents visitation rights so they too can get involved in bringing up the child. Suppose your co-parent is denying you visitation rights. In that case, you may seek legal recourse and have the parent sanctioned or the visitation orders reviewed. Knowing the steps to take in achieving that will protect your parental rights and, to some extent, the welfare of your child.