Get legal help in visitation matters
When parents separate or divorce, questions often arise about visitation and how the child will maintain contact with the parent they don’t live with. A child always has the right to interact with both parents, regardless of whether the parents share custody or one has sole custody. Contact can take place through physical meetings or other forms of communication, such as phone or video calls.
Visitation arrangements are always based on what’s best for the child. The child’s need to maintain contact with both parents is the primary consideration, rather than the parents’ wishes. Structure can vary depending on the family’s circumstances and what works best for the child. The parent the child lives with (the residential parent) is responsible for promoting and facilitating contact with the other parent (the non-residential parent), such as by providing necessary information about the child.
Related costs and practical matters
The financial responsibility for visitation typically lies with the non-residential parent. This includes covering costs associated with meeting the child, such as travel expenses. If the parents live more than 100 kilometers apart, the court can decide that the parents should share the costs to make visitation attainable.
What happens in a dispute?
If the parents can’t agree on visitation arrangements, a dispute may arise. The dispute must always be handled with the child’s best interests in mind. It’s important for the parents to cooperate and maintain a respectful tone to protect the child from conflicts. If one parent obstructs visitation, it can have serious consequences, such as losing custody.
What we help with in visitation matters
Legal Advice
We provide advice on your rights as a parent and what’s best for the child. We also help you find solutions outside of court.
Legal support in disputes
If you can’t agree with each other, we’ll represent you in the dispute and make sure that the child’s best interests remain the focus.
Mediation
We offer mediation services to help parents cooperate on visitation arrangements and reduce the risk of prolonged conflicts.
Get legal help today
Do you need help with visitation matters? You can always get in contact with our lawyers within just 24 hours when you need quick answers to your questions. Or you can email or call us whenever you need to hire a lawyer for legal assistance.
FAQ about visitation
Do I have visitation rights if I don’t have custody of my child?
Yes, even if you don’t have custody, you have the right to visitation with your child, provided it aligns with the child’s best interests.
Who pays for visitation?
The non-residential parent is typically responsible for the costs. However, if the parents live far apart, they may need to share the expenses.
Can visitation take place through phone or video calls?
Yes, it can occur in various ways depending on what’s best for the child. Phone or video calls can be a good solution when physical meetings aren’t possible.
What happens if one parent obstructs visitation?
If a parent actively prevents visitation, it can result in losing custody due to sabotage.