What if I or My Spouse Miss a “Visit” with our Children?
1. Communicate and Understand the Reason:
It’s important to first communicate and understand why the visit was missed. Emergencies, illness, or unavoidable circumstances can happen, and discussing the situation openly and honestly can prevent future misunderstandings.
2. Make-up Time:
If the missed visit was due to a legitimate reason, both parents may agree to a make-up visit. The parenting plan may already outline how missed visits should be handled, or the parents can negotiate a new time that works for both.
3. Document the Missed Visit:
If visits are missed frequently or without valid reasons, it’s wise to document each instance (dates, times, reasons) to ensure a clear record. This can be useful if further action needs to be taken.
4. Seek Mediation or Counseling:
If missed visits become a pattern, it may be helpful to involve a neutral third party, like a mediator or family counselor, to address any underlying issues. This can help keep the focus on the child’s best interests.
5. Modify the Parenting Plan (if necessary):
If missed visits are persistent and causing emotional or practical issues for the child, the other parent can request a modification to the parenting plan. This may result in a reduced visitation schedule or other adjustments to ensure consistency and stability for the child.
6. Legal Action (if violations persist):
If one parent continuously misses visits without reasonable explanations or violates the court-ordered parenting schedule, the other parent can file a motion with the court to enforce the agreement. The court may intervene by modifying visitation rights, ordering make-up time, or, in extreme cases, changing custody arrangements.
7. Impact on Child Support:
Missed visits usually do not impact child support. Even if one parent misses their visitation time, they are still obligated to pay child support as per the existing agreement.
8. Focus on the Child’s Emotional Well-being:
It’s important to reassure the child in cases of missed visits and emphasize it’s not their fault. Consistency and emotional support from the custodial parent can help alleviate any disappointment.
Being proactive, effectively communicating, and maintaining focus on the child’s well-being is crucial when addressing missed visits, so if this is an aspect to your post-divorce chapter, it’s best to address it versus letting the issue drag on