Visitation Rights

Southern Minnesota Visitation Rights Attorney

While there seems to be a focus on the custody label, it is actually the visitation that is what matters the most. Visitation is also known as “parenting time” and it determines how much time the child spends with each parent. This is much more important than knowing who has sole, joint, physical, or legal custody of the children. Because child support is determined based on the parent’s parenting time with the child, a lot of the focus is taken away from the type of custody that each parent has.

When dealing with visitation matters, it is best to consult with your Mankato visitation rights attorney first. That way you can create a plan, make the motions that you need to make, and do everything you need to do as smoothly as possible.

The Role Of Visitation

Visitation is very important to the children. There are times when that visitation may have to be supervised. This occurs when the visiting parent has had drug or alcohol issues. However, the visitation is so important that the system ensures the parent can still see their child. The supervision is not used as a punishment. Instead, it is to ensure the best interests of the children. Supervision may also be needed when a parent is visiting their children after a long period of separation, especially if the children are younger. In this case, the supervision acts as a buffer as the child becomes reacquainted with their parent.

Modification Of Visitation Rights

There are times when visitation may need to be modified. As long as this modification does not change the child’s primary residents, the court can grant the request if they find it to be in the best interest of the child. It is important to know what the legal standard is for modifying visitation is much lower than the legal standard used for modifying custody.

If you need a modification of visitation, you can have your Southern Minnesota visitation rights lawyer help you. Modifications are needed when the non-custodial parent may be moving out of town or there may be another circumstance that prevents the schedule from being followed. This may create a need for a vague schedule, which allows for more flexibility when it is needed.

This modification of parenting time could also result in a child support modification since child support is based on how much time the non-custodial parent spends with the child. If it is less time, then they may be ordered to pay more child support. If the modification results in more time, then they may be required to pay less. Child support modification will be requested by one of the parents in such cases.

Contact A Mankato Visitation Rights Lawyer

Visitation rights are very important to the non-custodial parent and for the children. This is why visitation rights and a visitation schedule need to be established. Birkholz Law, LLC can help you through this process so that visitation rights can be established and so a parenting time schedule can be put in place. To schedule a free consultation, call us at the Mankato office at 507-387-2100, the St. James office at 507-387-2100, or the Westbrook office at 507-274-6501 today.