April 11, 2023
Co-parenting in the Digital Age is often made easier thanks to numerous electronic platforms. Some are designed with co-parents and their kids in mind, while others are simply convenient for anyone who chooses to access them. When these platforms are utilized per the terms of a schedule outlined in a parenting plan or a broader child custody order, they may directly facilitate a family’s virtual visitation arrangements.
What Is Virtual Visitation?
Virtual visitation refers to the use of technology, such as video calls, live chats, or online messaging, to facilitate communication and interaction between a parent and a child when the child is residing with their other parent.
When Is Virtual Visitation Used?
Virtual visitation can be utilized in various situations, such as when parents live far apart, have restricted visitation rights, or face travel limitations. It can also be helpful during times of emergencies, illnesses, or unforeseen circumstances that prevent in-person visitation. With that said, virtual visitation can supplement traditional visitation arrangements and enhance ongoing parent-child relationships in any virtually any co-parenting scenario. For example, some small kids benefit from having whichever parent is not present on any given night read them a bedtime story.
How Does Virtual Visitation Work?
Virtual visitation typically involves using video conferencing platforms or communication apps that allow real-time audio and visual interaction. Scheduled virtual visitation sessions are arranged, allowing the parent and child to communicate, see each other, and engage in activities together virtually. As no two families operate in exactly the same ways, an experienced Colorado family law lawyer can help you and your co-parent to construct arrangements that will work to everyone’s benefit, if you’re thinking about adding virtual visitation terms to a new or existing parenting plan.
What Are the Benefits of Virtual Visitation?
Virtual visitation offers several benefits, including:
- Enhanced parent-child relationships: It allows parents and children to maintain regular communication and foster a sense of connection even when physically separated.
- Flexibility and convenience: Virtual visitation offers flexibility in scheduling and reduces the need for travel, making it more convenient for both parents and children.
- Supplementing in-person visits: Virtual visitation can complement in-person visits, providing additional opportunities for communication and involvement in the child’s life.
- Participation in everyday activities: It enables co-parents to be involved in their child’s daily routines, homework, celebrations, or special events, despite physical distance.
Is Virtual Visitation Legally Recognized?
Virtual visitation is legally recognized in many jurisdictions as a viable means of maintaining parent-child relationships. However, the specific regulations and guidelines regarding virtual visitation vary by jurisdiction. It is important to seek legal guidance before committing to a specific approach, as a result.
Seeking Legal Guidance
As the experienced attorneys at Zweig Law PC, Attorneys at Law can confirm, virtual visitation can be a valuable tool for parents and children who want to maintain strong bonds and active involvement in each other’s lives. It can promote ongoing communication, nurture parent-child relationships, and help to minimize the impact of distance or logistical barriers on parent-child connections. As a result, it is an opportunity worth considering.