On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
Going through a child custody battle with the other parent of your child is stressful and emotional. You never know what the court will decide, but if you are not awarded custody you will likely be looking for different ways to spend time with your children. One option that has become popular of late in Florida is virtual visitation.
Virtual visitation is a newer method for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children when they cannot be physically present with them. One thing you must keep in mind is that virtual visitation should not be a substitute for actually spending time with your child. Our Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer has some tips for virtual visitation for non-custodial parents.
What is Virtual Visitation?
Virtual visitation is exactly what you are thinking. It is the use of technology to help you visit with your child when you cannot be with them. For example, maybe you schedule a video chat each afternoon for when they are done school on days you don’t have custody. You could also email the child to help with homework. It’s also possible that you use video chats to go through the child’s nightly bedtime routine. All of these are options when you are granted virtual visitation through the family law courts in Florida.
Reasons to Use Virtual Visitation
There are plenty of reasons why you could use virtual visitation. If you were not granted physical custody of your child you can keep in touch with them on days when you are not with them. If you travel a lot for work, you can maintain your relationship without missing much. Maybe you are deployed as part of the military. Virtual visitation can help you feel as close to home as possible.
Florida’s Virtual Visitation Law
It is the law in Florida for judges to prohibit custodial parents from moving if it will negatively impact the visitation rights of the other parent. This is a big reason why virtual visitation came to be in the state. The judges must take the following into consideration before issuing virtual visitation rights to a parent:
- Determine if communication via electronic devices is in the best interest of the child
- Review both parents’ history to find any issues with substance abuse or domestic violence
- Investigate any other issues the court might find problematic
What Can be Included in a Visitation Order?
The family law courts in Florida are given a lot of leeways when it comes to drafting visitation orders. The courts can decide on any of the following:
- Require the parents to use a specific form of virtual visitation
- Order one parent to pay for access to the internet or any required equipment
- Order the parents to have specific equipment installed
- Order the parents to follow a court-created schedule for virtual visitation
If you are the non-custodial parent of a child in Florida looking for new ways to spend time with your child you should explore virtual visitation. Have questions about this visitation method? Call our Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney today at 954-533-2756 or fill out our contact form.
