Child Visitation

Massachusetts uses the term “Parenting Time” to describe visitation rights between a non-custodial parent and his or her child.  When the parties negotiate the details of parenting time they memorialize the details in a document called a "Parenting Plan". The document that details items such as when and where the child will be picked up and dropped off as well as who will have the child during school vacations and holidays.

In Paternity actions, where the parents were never married, the non-custodial parent can also have parenting time. 

When a custodial parent opposes the non-custodial parent visiting the child, it is highly unlikely that the court will prohibit visitation completely.  It is possible that the court could order supervised visits of the child or other tighter restrictions depending on the situation.