Terre Haute Visitation Modification Attorneys
In an Indiana divorce, the court will decide how the parents will continue to share custody of the children. Often, one parent is considered the primary custodial parent, and the other parent becomes the non-custodial parent. When the non-custodial parent spends time with the children, this is known as visitation. Indiana’s Parenting Time Guidelines have been updated to use the phrase “parenting time” instead of “visitation,” emphasizing the importance of the time the parent spends with the child and reflecting that the non-custodial parent actually engages in parenting and does more than just “visit” with the child. However, the term visitation is still commonly used in Indiana family laws and divorce courts in Vigo County and elsewhere throughout the state.
Once the court decides child custody and visitation in the divorce, that decision becomes an enforceable court order. Visitation can’t later be changed, except through agreement of the parties or going back to court to get a modification of the visitation order. Grounds may exist to modify visitation, but the party seeking modification must be able to present a sound legal claim and argue persuasively why a modification is in the child’s best interest and should be granted. If you wish to modify your visitation order in Terre Haute, hire the experienced Indiana family law attorneys at Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm, P.C. to litigate your case.
When Can Visitation Be Modified in Indiana?
A non-custodial parent is entitled to “reasonable parenting time rights,” formerly referred to as “visitation.” A parent’s parenting time may be lessened if the court finds that the non-custodial parent’s parenting time could be a danger to the child or otherwise is not in the child’s best interests. If you need legal representation modifying visitation or protecting the parenting time that you currently enjoy, you can turn to the Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm to fight to protect your visitation rights and make sure that your voice is heard.
Under Indiana’s Parenting Time Guidelines, the court may modify an existing visitation order when the court finds that the modification would serve the best interests of the child. However, the court will not restrict a parent’s parenting time rights unless the court finds that the parenting time might endanger the child’s physical health or significantly impair the child’s emotional development.
Enforcing Visitation
If a custodial parent insists on interfering with your parenting time, then the judge could admonish the party to comply with the court order. In certain circumstances, if a custodial parent continues to violate a court order, the court might find the custodial parent in contempt, award makeup time, or order a short jail sentence.
Help With Visitation Modification in Terre Haute
Whether seeking or opposing visitation modification after an Indiana divorce, advice and representation from an experienced family law attorney is key. If you need an attorney to evaluate your Terre Haute child visitation case, call Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm today for a free consultation.
