Getting Child Custody

Child Visitation - How to Divide Time Between Parents

Posted on April 1, 2009
Filed Under child custody | Leave a Comment

Child Visitation - How to Divide Time Between Parents

A Family Law Attorney From Southern California Explains Child Visitation

Child Visitation Overview
Issues with child visitation arise out of situations where both legal guardians of the child are no longer acting as a couple. Visitation refers to how the child's time will be divided between both legal guardians. It is usually decided by the court system, especially in cases where each guardian is asking for the same amount of visitation.

What it Means For You
If you are filing for visitation, the best thing to do is contact a lawyer in order to mediate for the maximum amount of child visitation you wish to have. The primary reason for this is that child custody battles tend to be very strenuous and emotional. Alleviating you of the direct confrontation about child custody matters with your ex spouse is a huge relief when dealing with such an emotional issue.

Supervised and Unsupervised Visitation
Supervised visitation is when courts find that the child's well being is compromised be spending time alone with a parent. If this is mandated, it is required that the adult meet with the child while another adult, court employee or private agency is present.

Unsupervised visitation is granted to the parent who does not spend more than half their time with the child. Unsupervised visitation should be highly detailed and planned beforehand to avoid arguments and confusion. The more specific the better.

Common Visitation Schedules
Common visitation schedules leaves the parent with less than half of their time with the child seeing the child every other weekend and alternating holidays. Common variations include a pick up and drop off once during the week by the parent with the least amount of visitation.

Family legal matters can be extremely emotional, frustrating and costly. Because of this, it is important that you get the right informatin BEFORE you take action regarding a divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, or any other important legal matter.

Get the information you need to make an intelligent, informed decision regarding your and/or your children.