The time that a child spends in the care of a parent is called parenting time. Parenting time was formally referred to as ‘access’. When a child lives with one parent, the non-custodial parent has the right to spend time with the child considering the child’s best interests.

There are various types of parenting arrangements, including:
 

• Liberal Parenting Time: where separating parents have had an amicable separation, or can cooperate with one another, parenting-time arrangements can be left open instead to be decided on an ad-hoc basis, rather than having a formalized schedule;
• Fixed Parenting Time: in a fixed access arrangement, the length of visits, frequency of visits, time of visits, and sometimes even location of visits can be pre-determined. This arrangement is necessary when parents need a rigid framework to avoid ongoing conflict; or,
• Supervised access: in some circumstances, access may need to be supervised by another person or institution. The purpose of supervised access is to protect a child from the risk of harm and it is generally meant to be a temporary remedy, rather than a long-term solution.

We are committed to assisting our clients with child-related disputes. Our lawyers also represent parents in child protection matters.