If you are going through a breakup, separation, or divorce, you’re likely already under a lot of stress. Divorces are always complicated and never more so than when children are involved. You may have many questions about child custody and visitation, and rightfully so.
If you are going through a divorce and children are involved, it is important that you contact an attorney who specializes in family law as soon as possible.
The Rules Around Visitation in Arizona
The legal language around divorces and breakups, especially those involving children, can be complex and easily misunderstood. Many terms that are used synonymously in some states are used to delineate separate entities in others.
For example, you may be under the impression that the terms “parenting time” and “visitation” are synonyms since that’s the case across much of the United States. However, in Arizona, the term “parenting time” describes the periods of scheduled time that parents who do not have sole legal custody spend with their children.
The parent with sole legal custody of the child has the right and responsibility to have the final say in the most important decisions in a child’s life, including education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. While the parent without legal custody does not, they do often retain their right to partial physical custody or parenting time.
The term “visitation,” on the other hand, describes the periods of scheduled time that people who are not parents spend with the child. Even though visitation does not directly affect the times that you are scheduled to spend with your child, it is very important that you seek professional legal advice regarding visitation immediately.
As a parent, you need to stay informed on the logistics of whoever is spending time with your children.
Your Right to Know Where Your Child Is During Visitations in Arizona
Whether you have the right to know where your child is during visitations in Arizona is contingent on the terms outlined in the custodial agreement you have in place with your child’s other parent.
If you have a custody order that mandates that both parents are required to let the other parent know where the child is during visitation, then you have the legal right to knowledge of your child’s whereabouts.
Information like this might be found in the parenting plan you created with your co-parent during the process of divorce, which includes such factors as residency, transportation, conflict resolution, and visitation.
If you check your parenting plan and find that you do not have a requirement in place that allows you the legal right to knowledge of your child’s whereabouts during visitation, you quite simply do not have that right.
In order to change your parenting plan, you and your co-parent must both agree to an alteration, or if you cannot agree, you can petition the court to make the alteration for you. It is important that you seek legal aid as soon as possible in case you need someone to negotiate on your behalf.
Seeking Legal Aid During a Divorce or Breakup that Involves Children
If you are going through a divorce, separation, or some other breakup, and your children are involved, it is essential that you seek legal aid from an attorney who specializes in family law as soon as possible.
Marital and family law is rife with linguistic and logical complexities, and if you don’t have training as a lawyer, you’re liable to miss something important.
Contact Phoenix family lawyer and defense attorney Cohen Family Law – we will guide you through your legal journey with skill and expertise and will help you get the best possible outcome in regards to child visitation.
