Visitation Schedules

To help explain/clarify visitation schedules.  Visitation schedules should be in accordance with guidelines set forth by the court.  However, many visitation schedules are drawn up and agreed upon by both parties without any court intervention.  There are many benefits to this method, and as long as the schedule provides for reasonable and liberal visitation the court will likely work with these preliminary guidelines.

Standard schedules.  Many visitation orders include what the court views as standard visitation.  This is typically when the non-custodial parent has the child/children every other weekend (Friday evening until Sunday evening) and alternate holidays. For example: The mother would have the child/children on Mother’s Day and on her birthday, while the father would then have the child/children on Father’s Day and on his birthday.  Other holidays are traditionally split annually, for example: the mother could have the child/children on Christmas on even numbered years and the father on odd numbered years.

If the parents are unable to collectively agree on a schedule, one may need to be determined by the court.  The court will take into consideration any pertinent information including both parties work schedules.

Under Illinois code the court can be flexible to accommodate the non-custodial parents work schedule.  Sometimes, even when the work schedule is “unusual”, as long as it can be shown to be in the child’s best interest.  As shown in re Marriage of Dobey, 258 ILL.App.3d 874, 629 N.E.2d 812, 196 ILL.Dec. 267 (4th Dist. 1994).

Once visitation, outlined by the court, has been established.  The parents have a legal obligation to maintain the schedule.  Failure to follow ordered visitation can result in modification and/or limitation.

See Also:

Best Interests of the Child in Visitation Cases

The Law

The Standard Visitation  Schedule

Visitation Decisions Properly Allowed & Properly Denied

Visitation Case

Assorted Visitation Topics