Understanding Child Visitation and Parenting Plans in Arizona

Your custody agreement is the most important negotiation you’ll make during your divorce. Whatever you decide will directly impact your child’s wellness and development. There are many different possibilities regarding custody, visitation, and scheduling. Understanding the options will help you work out an agreement that’s right for your family. The outcome of your divorce will determine the visiting rights you have as a parent. Here’s your guide to understanding different types of visitation in Arizona

Parenting Plan

In the state of Arizona, both parties must agree on a “parenting plan” before a judge will rule on a child custody agreement. This plan includes a detailed schedule of visitation for the child. Hopefully, the two parents can agree on a schedule that works for everyone. However, if they can’t, the court will create a plan. Taking many factors into consideration, they will decide sole or joint custody and the terms of visitation.

Sole Custody

Sole custody means that the child will only live at one residence. However, this rarely means that the other parent won’t have visitation rights or see their child.

Visitation

In the case of sole custody, the other parent can receive visitation rights. These visitations can be either unsupervised or supervised. Unsupervised visits allow the non-custodial parent to see the child alone. They can even include sleepovers at their home.

Supervised visitation is the other option. In this case, a court-approved responsible adult has to be present whenever the parent sees the child. This arrangement occurs when the safety of the child is in question. The court or the custodial parent can appoint the responsible adult. They will typically be a social worker or another family member.

Joint Custody

In joint or shared custody cases, the child will live with each parent part of the time. Joint custody doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split living arrangement.

Residential Schedules

There are many options for residential schedules you can agree on. Some examples include:

• The child stays with one parent every other weekend.
• The parents can alternate weeks.
• The child lives with one parent during the school year and the other on vacations.

Another factor to consider is a holiday schedule. Parents often choose to alternate holidays every other year.

Discuss Visitation Options with an Arizona Attorney

Whenever possible, it’s best to create a plan that keeps both parents in a child’s life. Understanding the types of visitation options available will help you and your ex reach a fair and healthy custody decision.

Do you need help reaching a visitation agreement? Then contact Reppucci and Roeder for a free consultation today at (480) 300-6012 to see how we can help you.

Be sure to ask about the special financing options available through our EasyRetainer® program.

Ryan Reppucci

Ryan Reppucci is the managing partner at Reppucci & Roeder and is recognized as one of Phoenix’s leading family law attorneys. After graduating from Arizona State with the highest honors and inclusion in America’s most prestigious student honor societies, Ryan attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. His career as a law student was decorated with numerous awards, including the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Book Award, nomination for membership in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, as well as Moot Court.

Ryan began his law career in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in various roles with America’s busiest criminal court systems. His success in these roles led to a clerkship with a leading criminal defense firm. Recognizing that his passion was in helping families, Ryan chose to move back to his native hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, where he began his practice in Family and Domestic Relations Law. Throughout his career, Ryan has stayed committed to excellence, service to others, and integrity within the legal profession. As part of his mantra of service to others, Ryan has served as Judge Pro Tempore for the Maricopa County Superior Court and regularly teaches as an adjunct law professor with Arizona Summit Law School.