Co-parenting is likely one of the biggest challenges you will face post-divorce. If you divorce while you still have minor children, you will have to cooperate with your ex-spouse for the benefit of your child. You will be encouraged by California family law courts to facilitate your child having a close and meaningful relationship with their other parent and to craft a parenting plan that works for your family.
For most busy, modern families, this is hard simply because of conflicting work and school schedules. Recently, technology has provided us means to better facilitate quality visitation time for your child and their other parent, despite these challenges of modern day life. Fortunately, laptops, smart phones and tablets like iPads have made us better connected. There is no reason why these devices can’t improve parent-child relationships either. Even though a divorce may tear a family apart, your child can still stay connected with their other parent through electronic communication, when face-to-face visitation is not possible.
Scholarly work in the field of California family law has recognized the increasing tendency for family law courts to issue orders for virtual visitation. This is a testament to our society’s increasing reliance on electronic communications to keep in touch, which isn’t a bad thing. Applications and programs like FaceTime and Skype, the increasing affordability of cell phones across the world and widespread internet access have brought families together that would otherwise not be in touch. No one can deny that virtual visitation is better than no visitation at all.
In the face of conflicting schedules, relocations and lifestyles that can come in the way of a child and parent spending quality time together, virtual visitation may be right for your family. Even if facilitating quality visitation time between your child and their other parent is relatively easy, giving your child the option to contact their other parent throughout the day or week using electronic communication can strengthen their relationship with a parent they may only see in person on weekends. Texting, emailing, video chatting or even playing online video games together can make it easy and fun for your child to stay close and connected with their other parent during the week so they can make the most of their residential time. It can also help a busy parent who works long hours to stay in touch with their child’s day-to-day life. In general, electronic communication has opened up new ways a child and parent can stay close after a divorce, but what really matters is what is best for your family.
Are you in Los Angles County and have some questions about facilitating virtual visitation? Certified Family Law Specialist Steven Fernandez can ensure your child’s best interests are looked out for throughout the divorce process. Representing individuals in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, Steven Fernandez will help you craft a parenting arrangement that works best for your family while adhering to the guidelines of California family law. Call our office at 310-622-9434; email us at intake@cfli.com or contact us through our online form today to schedule a free consultation.