Virtual Visitation for Distant Parents

When one parent moves a child to another state after divorce or separation, it can wreak havoc for the absent parent as well as the child. More courts are recognizing distance as a barrier to constant visitation, which is why they are implementing virtual visitation into a vast number of orders.

Virtual Visitation is a term used to describe visitation between a child and the noncustodial parent utilizing web chat programs and microphone communication. Some options for Virtual Visitation are Skype, ooVoo, Yahoo! Messenger, or Facebook Video Chat.

Virtual Visitation enables parents and children to have face-time together where they can play games online, work on school projects and homework together, or talk face-to-face about anything when it would otherwise be impossible to do.

The first state to enact laws regarding Virtual Visitation was Texas. Since the enactment in 2007, Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Illinois have also passed laws on this topic. As of May 2012, twenty-two other states are in the process of drafting and enacting Virtual Visitation laws to make it a real option in custody, visitation or dissolution proceedings.

Although Virtual Visitation is not a substitute for personal contact or visitation between a parent and their child, it does provide a child the psychological benefit of having constant communication and contact with a parent that lives far away. This option provides great benefits for deployed parents or those who have to travel for business.

With all of the advances in technology, Virtual Visitation is sure to be a form of visitation that will be implemented in every state throughout the entire United States within the next year or two. Courts generally focus on creating and maintaining strong bonds between both parents and their children. This will provide them another possible opportunity to encourage the bond.