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The Importance of Virtual Visitation for Separated Parents


Virtual Visitation has been successfully incorporated into laws of some states that that are concerned with custody and visitation. Texas is one of these states.

Definition

The use of any kind of technology to communicate with the child when physical visitation is impossible. Any application or software that allows video chatting and any similar technology are all considered as virtual visitation platforms. 

Pros and Cons

Virtual visitation is important especially to a parent who works far away from the place of residence of the child. A prime example of this situation is those working overseas such as those serving in the military. Virtual visitation gives the parents who are away from their children a chance to communicate with the child. It also promotes a long-lasting relationship between the parent and child despite the absence of normal visitation. 

The upside of virtual visitation is giving parents who are far to continue building a good relationship with their child. Simply being present in important events of your child such as holidays, school events or just having a good conversation with them at the end of the day, in some real way or manner, can really make a huge impact in the life of their child. 

On the other hand, a downside of this kind of visitation is the fact that it cannot successfully replace normal physical visitation because this includes intimacy which is not present in virtual visitation. As a parent, no technology can replace holding your loved ones especially a parent being able to hug their young child.

In addition to Physical Visits

Some parents are concerned about virtual visitation becoming the new normal visitation in this day and age of technology. Hence, they think that courts will have virtual visitation as an option for the latter to order. An important thing to remember is that typically, courts will order virtual visitation in addition to the normal physical visits. 

Virtual visitation is, no doubt, a great alternative to traditional physical visits especially for parents who cannot physically visit their child for one reason or another. Consulting with a lawyer who has great experience in family law can help you understand the endless possibilities that visitation entails.

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Mr. Hutton is a Divorce and Custody Lawyer based out of Round Rock, TX. His background is with child psychology at Arizona State University where he received a B.S. in 2006, and he continued this by working with the Children’s Right’s Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law where he received his J.D. in 2009. Throughout his practice, he has been a strong proponent of utilizing modern technology to improve his practice and the representation of his clients. He currently is the technology chair of CAFA of Travis County and is committed to improving and modernizing the practice of law in Texas. If you have any questions you can contact him at timothy.hutton@austintexaslegal.com

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