What Is Visitation Right in Child Custody Arrangements?

When most people hear the words Child Custody, they think about the child's living arrangements. When you throw in the word visitation, they get surprised as well. Unless you're an attorney or have been through your own child custody process, you may not know what they mean or the difference. Here is some insight.

Physical Custody- This is the legal right of the parent to have the child live with them. This doesn't automatically mean that it is an exclusive right. You can also have-Joint physical custody, which means that both parents have a legal right to have the child live with them, and they must establish a visitation schedule.

Visitation is the actual schedule that is worked out between the parents to determine when the child will visit with each parent (regardless of who has legal, physical custody). Parents without physical custody can still have regular visitation with their child and expect the court to uphold that right.

The crucial element to recognize here is that these factors are not mutually exclusive. You don't need to have sole physical custody of your child to have visitation, and you won't lose any possibility of visitation if you don't have sole or joint physical custody.

Don't be bullied by the other parent if they tell you that they intend to have custody and never let you see the child. Guess what; they don't have the power to keep you away. The child's best interest and needs to see each parent is always the court's first responsibility. So no matter what the other parent says, the child's rights always trump theirs.

When you are seeking an attorney who recognizes the pain, the struggles, and what it demands to fight for your family's rights in a child custody matter, look no further than Jos Family Law, the Best Child Custody Attorney in Orange, CA. Besides, you will be able to discover how we have assisted others in related situations like your own, how we can help you, and the best subsequent steps to develop a strong case. For a free discussion, contact us at 714-733-7066 or jos@josfamilylaw.com.