Making the Most of Virtual Visitation

Technological advances have impacted the manner in which noncustodial parents can remain connected to their children following a divorce. A growing number of noncustodial parents are taking advantage of what is often referred to as virtual visitation or virtual parenting time. There are a number of ways a noncustodial parent can make the most of virtual visitation. These include:

• Understand virtual visitation is not a replacement for parenting time
• Understand potential technology for visitation that is virtual
• Schedule virtual visitations
• Importance of mutual cooperation between parents

When contemplating using technology for visitation, you must always bear in mind that visitation conducted virtually is not a replacement for parenting time. Virtual visitations need to be thought of as supplements to in-person parenting time.

For example, assume for the moment a noncustodial parent does not have scheduled parenting time over the course of a particular holiday. A virtual visit can be arranged at a set time for a specified period over the course of that holiday.

There are some instances in which visits undertaken virtually are a necessity. A parent who is on a tour of military duty will not be in a position to engage in parenting time. Virtual visits provide a reasonable substitute during such a period of time. Virtual visits permit a parent on a military tour of duty to maintain better contact with a child, maintain a better connection with that child.

In this day and age, an increasing number of correctional facilities on the local, state, and federal level have begun to enhance technology available to permit virtual visits. In this type of situation, virtual visits very well may be a necessity because in-person parenting time is challenging and in some instances even impossible.

At the outset and when planning virtual visits, a person needs to make certain that he or she understands the technology that will be utilized in the process. If the agreed platform to undertake virtual visits will be Zoom, for example, a parent needs to be sure that he or she fully understands the essential elements of that technology. A person does not want to waste a valuable virtual visit on a training mission learning how to operate a platform like Zoom.

You need to make sure the proper application is available at both ends of the planned virtual visit. In basic terms, if the decision is to make use of Zoom, access to that app all around is necessary. If Facetime is the desired platform, confirmation must be made that all participants have access to this technology through a Facebook account.

The most can be made of virtual visits by scheduling them and not hoping to have one in a haphazard manner. All involved are better served when specific times are scheduled for virtual visitations. This includes both parents and the child or children.

There may be some occasions when a last-minute virtual visit is needed or desired. Overall, however, these types of visitations should be scheduled.

For recurring virtual visits, you might want to schedule four to six months in advance. A protocol must likewise be in place to coordinate a proposed last minute virtual visit.

Virtual visitations best succeed if both parents cooperate in the process and communicate with one another in a reasonable manner. In point of fact, coparenting with consistent civil communication is highly beneficial to a child or children regardless of the positive impact it can have on virtual visits.

If you are contending with issues surrounding custody or parenting time, the legal team at the Law Offices of Peter Van Aulen is here for you. In addition, if you are seeking a divorce, we can also provide you the representation you need in such a case.

You can schedule a free initial consultation with a custody attorney at the Law Offices of Peter Van Aulen any time that is convenient to you by calling us at (201) 845-7400.