It used to be the norm for noncustodial parents to only get a few hours one night a week and every other weekend with their children. That’s been changing in recent years as the push toward shared parenting and a more equitable visitation schedule has taken place. However, some parents may not be able to take full advantage of more generous visitation schedules because they live too far from the custodial parent or are often gone on business trips. Virtual visitation may be an option worth considering in these cases.
Virtual visitation is when you connect and talk with your child via some kind of technology that allows you to both see and hear each other. One example would be using your webcam and Skype to actually talk face-to-face with your children.
Virtual visitation also doesn’t have to be just for those who cannot physically be with their children often. It can also be a possibility for parents who just want to be a larger part of their children’s daily lives. Apps such as Skype and FaceTime make it possible to talk to your child in the morning as he gets ready for school and be a part of the bedtime routine.
If you believe adding virtual visitation into your parenting schedule would be in the best interests of your children, talking with an attorney is the first step toward getting it added as part of the official court order. If the other parent is amenable, it may be as simple as filing some paperwork with the courts. Otherwise, you may need to take the case before a judge and show why the visitation would be in the best interests of the children.
Source: FindLaw, “Virtual Visitation,” accessed April 08, 2016
