5 Ways To Preserve Child Custody Visitation Rights

Generally, children who grow up around both parents enjoy a holistic life. However, divorce can compromise a child's development because it separates them from at least one parent. Therefore, most parents find separation painful, stressful, and confusing. Fortunately, courts use "best interest of the child" standards, including granting visitation rights, to facilitate a parent-child relationship.

Nonetheless, a parent with visitation rights might struggle to navigate the new arrangement. Additionally, violation of a court order might lead to hefty fines and loss or modification of visitation rights. This post highlights ways to preserve child custody visitation rights.

1. Meet Financial Support Obligations

Stay current with financial support obligations whether the payment is court-ordered or a mutual understanding with your ex-partner. Some co-parents are inconsistent with child support payments, especially in an informal arrangement. However, you risk losing visitation rights if your efforts are inadequate.

Make full and timely payments toward your child's needs. A consistent effort demonstrates you care about your kids' well-being. Nonetheless, seek legal redress if you are struggling financially and cannot comfortably meet personal needs. The court might adjust payment and allow you to keep visitation rights.

2. Maintain a Clean Home

The state of your home affects visitation rights. However, some co-parents neglect tidiness, unaware of the potential consequences. For example, a family court can order supervised visitation to establish whether a parent's living conditions are conducive to a child’s well-being.

Maintain a regular cleaning schedule to keep your house tidy, comfortable, and safe. Cleanliness helps thwart allegations of an unhealthy and unsafe living environment. However, you don't have to aim for a pristine look because a relatively clean house adequately preserves child custody visitation rights.

3. Maintain Civility

Typically, child custody cases are emotional. For instance, an ex-spouse might feel aggrieved by a court's decision and blame their ex-partner for losing a custody case. Regrettably, a co-parent might disparage their ex-partner when visiting a child. Unfortunately, the behavior might affect a child's relationship with the visiting parent.

Remain civil and keep your emotions in check during visits since a judge can terminate the visitation rights of an angry and vengeful parent. Nonetheless, talk to a family lawyer if you have complaints about your ex's handling of the visitation process to avoid confrontation.

4. Be Honest

Honesty about your mental well-being is vital to preserving visitation rights. Therefore, be truthful about your ability to follow a court's visit guidelines. For example, losing a child custody case might affect a parent's mental state and compromise their ability to spend quality time during visits.

Discuss any concerns with your ex-partner about meeting visitation requirements or making visits enjoyable. In particular, consider visitation modification and get psychological help to improve your mental well-being. For example, consider phone or video calls instead of physical visits during treatment. Honesty prioritizes a child's needs and prevents non-compliance with a court order, which helps preserve visitation rights.

5. Maintain Accurate Visitation Records

A co-parent might wish to limit an ex-spouse's visitation rights for various reasons, including revenge. Therefore, remain vigilant and adopt a proactive approach by keeping accurate records. For example, journal all drop-ins, missed visits, and communications with a co-parent.

A detailed visitation record is an excellent alibi if a co-parent becomes uncooperative and makes unsubstantiated allegations. In addition, a family lawyer can use journal entries to demonstrate your efforts to abide by visitation guidelines. Keep records such as photos, show tickets, and other relevant documents that prove regular contact with your child.

Child custody visitation arrangements do not have to be a struggle. Contact us at James W. Bodiford, Jr., Law Office, for professional legal advice on preserving visitation rights after a child custody case.