Visitation, also called parenting time, is the time a child spends with each parent. A parenting plan sets out when that time occurs and any conditions that apply.

In California Family Law

A visitation schedule can cover school days, weekends, holidays, and vacations. For example, a child might spend alternating weekends and one afternoon each week with a parent.

The court bases visitation orders on the best interests of the child. Under Family Code section 3020, the child’s health, safety, and welfare come first. California favors frequent and continuing contact with both parents after separation, except when that contact is not in the child’s best interests.

Family Code section 3100 requires reasonable parental visitation in joint custody orders when it is shown to be in the child’s best interests. When a protective order restrains a parent, the court must consider whether visits should be supervised, suspended, or denied.

Supervised visitation means another person watches and listens during the visit. If contact would harm the child even with supervision, the court may order no visitation.