In Albany, when a parent is not awarded primary custody of their child in a divorce, they will typically be granted visitation rights. An Albany visitation lawyer can offer guidance regarding your rights as a parent. A skilled family law attorney can assist with drawing up a visitation agreement that serves the best interests of your child and meets the requirements of the court.
There are numerous parties who can request visitation rights to a child. Besides a parent of the child, the child’s brothers, sisters, or grandparents can request visitation. In the case of parent requesting visitation, the court will usually grant visitation rights. However, if there is sufficient evidence to show that giving the parent access to their child would be against the child’s best interests, the judge may decide to deny visitation to that parent.
Sometimes, the court may review the facts of the situation and determine that switching the child between parents may be harmful to the child’s mental or physical well-being. Under such circumstances, a judge can require that visitation time with the non-custodial parent occur in a pre-determined place under supervision. During a private consultation, a local attorney could answer any further questions about who is eligible to request visitation in Albany.
There are a number of essential provisions that should be included in a visitation agreement. A knowledgeable attorney in Albany could help a parent establish a detailed visitation agreement. A visitation agreement should include provisions regarding which parent the child will spend time with during the week and which parent will be with the child during the weekends.
The parents may choose to divide their time during the week and weekends so that each has quality time with the child. For instance, the parents may agree that the non-custodial party will be with the child a few times during the week and on alternating weekends.
A visitation schedule should also make provisions for which parent the child will spend time with on school and national holidays, as well as leisure trips. If both parents would like to go on vacation with their child individually at some point during the year, the visitation agreement should specify the time frame those vacations will fall under and with which parent.
It is important to note that once the visitation agreement is approved by the court, it must be adhered to, or the non-compliant parent faces severe legal penalties. A non-custodial parent who will not deliver the child to the custodial parent when their time with the child is up could face high fines and even jail time.
If a significant change in the situation for a parent occurs, either the noncustodial party or the custodial parent may request a modification of the visitation agreement. One parent moving out of the state or starting a new job with a different schedule are examples of circumstantial changes that might warrant a modification. A skilled Albany attorney can assist parents who need help enforcing or modifying a preexisting visitation agreement.
If you need assistance establishing visitation with your child or requesting a change in your current arrangement, it is wise to get help from an experienced attorney. An Albany visitation lawyer can provide continuous support throughout your case and help protect your legal rights.
Contact an Albany visitation lawyer today for a confidential consultation.
Colwell Law
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