Common Parenting Time Issues in Ottawa

Parenting time is an important and highly emotional concern for parents during and after a divorce or separation. A parenting time lawyer could explain how parenting agreements control where children live, how much time they spend with each parent, how parents make important decisions about their children’s care, and other crucial parental concerns.

These agreements could also be subject to revision when circumstances change or disputes occur. When common parenting time issues in Ottawa arise, the dedicated lawyers at The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm could help you enforce your parental rights while maintaining the best interests of your children.

Understanding Parenting Time Agreements

Parenting time—sometimes known as visitation or access—is the time a child spends under each parent’s care after separation or divorce. This includes each parent’s right not only to have time with the child but to make daily decisions about the child’s care during that time.

Families organize parenting time in different ways based on their situation. Child custody lawyers often negotiate parenting time agreements, or courts determine them when parties cannot agree. Commonly, parenting plans include:

• Equal or shared parenting time: Under Ontario’s child support guidelines, parenting time is considered to be equal when a child spends at least 40% of their time with either parent
• Primary residence with one parent: The child lives with one parent and has scheduled parenting time with the other parent
• Supervised parenting time: When safety concerns exist for care with one parent, supervised parenting time could offer a safe and neutral setting for visits between children and the parent without decision-making responsibility

During a divorce, separation, or custody agreement modification, a knowledgeable Ottawa parenting time lawyer could answer your questions about common issues and provide ongoing, informed guidance.

What Are Parenting Time Issues and How Are They Resolved?

In Ottawa, common problems with visitation include refusals by one parent to follow a parenting time agreement, refusals by children to go to the other parent’s house, and inappropriate behaviour by one parent during their time. Sometimes, parents resolve these disputes without legal help.

Other times, parenting time issues require legal services and court intervention. Any visitation disagreement could be stressful and emotional for the parents and children involved. When you need help, our lawyers at The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm offer support in numerous ways, including:

• Providing mediation services
• Enforcing existing parenting time orders
• Addressing concerns about parental rights
• Addressing interference with parenting time
• Negotiating changes to parenting time schedules
• Submitting court applications for parenting time orders

When disagreements occur, it is important to document parenting time violations so lawyers and court officials have evidence to substantiate your case. Our legal team works diligently to address all child custody concerns and safeguard the best interests of your children.

Contact Us in Ottawa With Your Questions About Common Visitation Issues

Whether you are negotiating a parenting time plan as part of a separation or divorce, facing disputes with an existing agreement, or requiring a modified plan, our dedicated child custody lawyers could help with your common parenting time issues in Ottawa.

We have 24-hour availability and are committed to helping you protect your parental rights while building strong bonds with your children. Contact The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm today to schedule a consultation and learn about your legal options.