Virtual visitation is a new trend in divorce law that is designed to enhance traditional visitation agreements. With virtual visitations, non-custodial parents who do not live in the same location as their children can have increased communication using technology like web chats, social media, and instant messaging. When you’re considering types of child custody and visitation in Maryland , it is important to have an attorney on your side to represent your rights and interests. If virtual visitation is an issue in your child custody case, here is what you need to know.

What is virtual visitation?

Virtual visitation is the use of technology to connect non-custodial parents and children outside of their traditional visitation times. It can be used to allow kids and parents to keep in touch about day-to-day activities or to share major events, like a play or recital, with non-custodial parents who can’t attend the event. Because virtual visitation is a new phenomenon, there is no standard type of order for these cases. The courts may specify which virtual platforms should be used for visitation, when the visits should occur, and that the child and parent be allowed to communicate without oversight from the custodial parent.

Who is a candidate for virtual visitation?

One common child custody issue is what happens if the custodial parent wants to relocate. Even if the relocation is in the best interest of the child, it can still take a toll on the relationship between the child and the non-custodial parent. Virtual visitation can help ensure that the connection between parent and child stays strong. The same standards apply to virtual visitation as traditional visitation, so parents who are not eligible for in-person visits with their children will not be awarded virtual visitation.

Does virtual visitation affect other forms of visitation?

Virtual visitation cannot be used to in place of traditional visitation. It is supposed to supplement the in-person visitation schedule rather than replace it. Neither parent can use virtual visits as a way to change the traditional visitation schedule or to replace scheduled visits.

Divorce law is complex, which is why it’s best to have a divorce attorney in Owings Mills on your side to protect your interests. Although divorcing spouses often want the case to be resolved as quickly as possible, it’s necessary to remember that divorce isn’t always a one-time issue; if you share children in common with your spouse, you’ll need to be able to communicate effectively with him or her for years to come. Making the divorce process as amicable as possible may help prevent contentious child custody issues in the future and it will certainly improve your communication with your ex.

Agree on a Method

The first step toward effective co-parenting is a matter of logistics: Deciding which communication methods you will use. It may be necessary to make a phone call or have a face-to-face conversation in some cases, but if your relationship with your ex is strained, then it’s best to use more impersonal methods whenever possible. E-mail is an excellent choice because it gives you time to choose your wording carefully before responding. Plus, you can save all of your received and sent e-mails in case they are needed for future litigation. Regardless of which methods you choose, you should never use a child as a messenger.

Keep Each Other in the Loop

Agree to keep each other in the loop. Tell your ex about the important things going on in your child’s life (e.g., school pictures, immunizations, and major temper tantrums) and ask that you be kept informed if something happens at the other parent’s house that you need to know about.

Avoid Putting the Kids in the Middle

Children need stability and support . Witnessing hostility between their parents can inflict real psychological damage on children that can have lasting effects. Make an agreement with your ex to hide disagreements from the kids and to never make disparaging remarks about the other parent in front of the children.

Use Professional Language

Perceiving your relationship with your ex as a business relationship can support effective co-parenting. Use courteous, professional language with your ex when speaking, texting, or e-mailing. After writing an e-mail to your ex, take a minute to reread it before you press “Send.” Make sure there are no word choices or stylistic selections that could be misinterpreted. For example, writing something in all capital letters could be interpreted as hostility.