• Blog >
  • Rhode Island Child Visitation Schedules

Rhode Island Child Visitation Schedules

Divorces that involve minor children can be highly emotional. If you are the non-custodial parent of your children, your top priority will likely be to protect your time with your children by establishing a workable visitation schedule. An experienced Rhode Island visitation attorney can help you create a schedule that provides you quality time with your children.

Under Rhode Island Visitation Law R.I.G.L. 15-5-19, the court must grant “reasonable visitation” to the non-custodial parent, unless there’s good cause for denying it. Similar to child custody determinations, a visitation arrangement must be in the child’s best interests. Many times, the spouses can negotiate and reach an agreement regarding visitation. However, if this is not possible, the court will decide on a visitation schedule.

Visitation schedules can be made in a variety of forms. Common examples include:

  • Child lives with one parent during the week and visits the other parent on weekends
  • Alternating holidays
  • Child alternates residences every week
  • Child alternates residences every 3 to 4 days

It is important to note that if you are awarded custody of your child, you cannot withhold visitation from the non-custodial parent. You are expected to promote your child’s relationship with the other parent. If you withhold visitation, the court can hold you in contempt, issue sanctions against you or even award custody to the other parent. Thus, if you believe visitation should be altered or cease altogether because the child’s well-being is in jeopardy, it is vital that you obtain assistance from Rhode Island visitation lawyers.

A family law attorney can file a motion with the court and request that visitation be modified. If you need help creating a visitation schedule that works best for your family, contact Kirshenbaum Law Associates.