Definition

Noun: 1. A legal entitlement granted by a court: This right allows a parent or, in some cases, another relative (such as a grandparent) who does not have physical custody of a child to spend time with that child according to a defined schedule.

Usage

A visitation right is a formal legal arrangement, typically established during divorce or separation proceedings. It specifies when and where the non-custodial party can see the child. The court determines the details to serve the best interests of the child.

Examples

• The father was granted visitation rights every other weekend and one evening during the week.
• The court order outlines her specific visitation right, including holiday schedules.
• He sought to enforce his visitation rights after the mother moved to another state.

Advanced Usage

• "To have visitation rights": To possess this legal entitlement.
  • Despite the divorce, he still has visitation rights with his daughters.
• "To be granted visitation rights": To receive this entitlement from a court.
  • The grandparents petitioned the court and were granted visitation rights.
• "To violate/supervise visitation rights": Refers to interfering with or monitoring the exercise of this right.
  • Refusing to allow the visits would violate the visitation rights.
  • Due to past concerns, the judge ordered supervised visitation rights.

Variants and Related Words

• Visitation (noun): Often used interchangeably with "visitation right" in casual speech, or to refer to the actual period of time spent during a visit.
  • His visitation is scheduled for this Saturday.
• Parenting Time (noun): A modern term increasingly used in family law that emphasizes the parent-child relationship rather than just "visiting," often encompassing visitation rights.
• Custody (noun): The legal right to make decisions for a child and to have the child live with you. Visitation rights are typically granted to the non-custodial parent.

Synonyms

• Access (a term commonly used in family law, especially in some Commonwealth countries)
• Contact (another legal term for the right to maintain a relationship with the child)

Related Legal Phrases

• Visitation schedule/order: The formal document or plan detailing the specific times, dates, and conditions for exercising visitation rights.
  • They agreed to a detailed visitation schedule.
• Reasonable visitation: A flexible arrangement where the parents agree on visitation times without a strict court-imposed schedule, though this can sometimes lead to disputes.
  • The decree awarded the father reasonable visitation.

Noun

1. the right granted by a court to a parent (or other relative) who is deprived of custody of a child to visit the child on a regular basis