- 24-Jul-2025
- Marriage and Divorce Laws
In today’s digital world, virtual visitation or digital appointments are becoming an increasingly popular way for non-custodial parents to maintain regular contact with their children, particularly when in-person visits are impractical. These digital appointments, typically carried out via video calls, online meetings, or voice calls, can be part of a custody agreement to help facilitate communication and emotional bonding. As technology continues to evolve, courts and parents alike are exploring how to integrate these virtual options into custody planning, allowing for continued parental involvement in the child’s life.
Yes, digital appointments can be incorporated into custody agreements. Many courts now recognize the value of virtual visitation for non-custodial parents, especially in cases where physical visits are not feasible due to distance, work schedules, or other logistical challenges. These appointments can be formalized within the custody order, specifying the frequency, duration, and type of communication (e.g., video call, phone call, or online messaging).
Courts have increasingly begun to allow digital parenting time in custody agreements, particularly in circumstances where it’s difficult for the non-custodial parent to maintain face-to-face contact. This is seen as a way to ensure the child maintains a meaningful relationship with both parents.
Custody agreements may specify the platform for communication (e.g., Zoom, Skype, Facetime, Google Meet) to ensure that both parties are comfortable with the technology. The agreement could also define whether calls are to be initiated by the custodial parent or the non-custodial parent.
The frequency of virtual visits is generally determined based on the child's needs and the non-custodial parent's ability to maintain consistent contact. For example, a court might order that a child has a video call with their non-custodial parent two to three times per week or on certain days (like weekends or evenings). Courts may also take the child’s age and developmental stage into account when determining the optimal frequency of these appointments.
The length of each digital appointment should also be considered. While younger children may only be able to engage in shorter video calls (e.g., 10-15 minutes), older children may be comfortable with longer sessions (30 minutes to an hour). These specifics should be outlined in the custody agreement to ensure that both parents can effectively communicate with the child without disrupting their routine.
Both parents need to ensure that they have access to the necessary technology, such as smartphones, tablets, or computers with reliable internet connections. In cases where one parent may not have access to suitable technology, the court could order the other parent to provide the necessary resources.
For younger children, virtual visits may be less effective, especially if the child is not developmentally ready to engage meaningfully through a screen. In such cases, the court might opt for more frequent but shorter calls. Older children, on the other hand, might enjoy or even prefer virtual visits if they align with their usual social media habits.
Some custody agreements may include supervised digital visits to ensure the safety and privacy of the child. If there are concerns about the behavior of one parent, the court may mandate that the virtual visits be supervised, either by a third party or the custodial parent, to maintain the child's security.
Parents may seek modifications to the custody order to allow for or formalize digital appointments if such provisions were not included initially. If one parent is not complying with the agreed-upon virtual visits, the other parent may petition the court for enforcement or further clarification on the matter.
Successful implementation of digital appointments requires a high degree of cooperation between the parents. Disagreements over the timing, frequency, or quality of virtual visits can lead to conflicts. It is important for parents to respect the boundaries of the custody agreement and make efforts to ensure that the child benefits from these digital interactions.
If virtual appointments are part of the custody agreement and one parent violates the arrangement, it can be considered a breach of the custody order, which may result in legal action. The court may issue penalties or modify the agreement to ensure that the child’s relationship with both parents is maintained.
For parents who live far apart, digital appointments provide a practical solution to staying involved in the child’s life without requiring the child to travel long distances. This is especially beneficial when the child is young and frequent travel is impractical.
In some cases, parents may have conflicting work schedules or other commitments that prevent regular in-person visits. Digital appointments allow the non-custodial parent to maintain consistent communication and active involvement in the child's life without disruptions.
Regular virtual visits can help alleviate the emotional strain on a child who might feel disconnected from the non-custodial parent. It provides a sense of continuity and emotional connection, which is important for maintaining the parent-child bond.
Especially in situations where physical visits may be unsafe or disruptive (e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic or in cases of domestic violence), digital appointments provide a safe, flexible, and effective means of maintaining communication.
A mother has primary custody of her 8-year-old daughter, and the father lives in a different state, making regular in-person visits challenging. The parents agree to include digital appointments in their custody arrangement.
Custody agreements can absolutely include provisions for digital appointments, allowing for virtual visitation or regular communication between the child and non-custodial parent. When planning for these digital appointments, key factors such as the child’s age, technology accessibility, the frequency and duration of the appointments, and the potential for parental cooperation must be carefully considered. Courts have become more flexible in incorporating virtual visitation into custody agreements, understanding that it is a modern and practical solution to maintaining relationships despite geographical and logistical challenges.
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