Introductory visits can be a part of some child custody cases. In cases where one parent has been away from the children for a period of time, courts can gradually reintroduce the parent to the children. In other cases, the parent may have been absent from the children’s lives altogether. Sometimes, their absence might not even be voluntary.

The idea behind introductory visits is that they can ensure that the children and parents become well-acclimated. It can also ensure that any issues between parent and child are addressed before more extensive visits take place. Some would also argue that introductory visits are therapeutic for the parent and child.

How Do Introductory Visits Work?

Introductory visits can look different based on the case. It can also look different depending on the parents’ backgrounds. When the absent parent is fit and able, introductory visits may be brief. However, when there is concern about the parent, introductory visits can take longer.

It can also depend on the child or children in the case. If the kids are easy-going and do not have special needs, the introductory visits can go fairly quickly. However, when special needs are present, the introductory visits may take longer. It might also depend on the child’s age, which may affect the pace of the introductory visits.

However, in general, introductory visits can start with supervised visits of an hour or two. Supervisors can include a court-approved supervisor, a social worker, a parent, a relative, a trusted friend or family member, or a private supervisor.

After several supervised visits with no issues, the visits can then progress to unsupervised for several hours. Often, these visits can take place over the weekend for several hours on a Saturday or Sunday. If those go well, the visits can be all-day visits from 9 am to 5 pm.

If those go well, the visits can then expand to limited overnight visits on the weekend. If these continue to go well, the overnight visits can expand to an entire weekend. Eventually, a parent can move toward a regular visitation schedule with their children, including a fifty-fifty custody arrangement.

Can Introductory Visits Be Skipped?

Many individuals, when they hear this, can be frustrated by the idea of introductory visits. They may want to have regular visitation right away. They might not want to have to go through the process of introductory visits.

While these sentiments can make sense, if the guardian ad litem or the court recommends introductory visits, this is what a party will typically have to do to obtain regular visitation and custody. In some cases, a part may feel like the other party has denied them contact with their children. Sometimes, a party may have absconded with the children or unjustifiably denied the other parent contact with them. 

Nonetheless, parents in this situation need to be patient. If they do the introductory visits with the proper attitude and long-term perspective, they can often end up with custody and visitation of their children that they ultimately desire. They just have to go through the introductory steps with the proper perspective and attitude.

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