Visitation Rights are common in custody cases, but what exactly are they? In Oklahoma, when parents separate or divorce, one of the most important issues to resolve is how each parent will maintain a relationship with their child. If one parent receives primary custody, the other typically receives visitation rights—also called “parenting time.” These rights ensure that children can maintain meaningful contact with both parents, even when they no longer live together.
What Are Visitation Rights?
Visitation rights give a non-custodial parent the legal right to spend time with their child. These rights are typically outlined in a court-approved custody and visitation plan, which specifies when, where, and how visitation will occur. Oklahoma courts refer to this arrangement as a “standard visitation schedule” or “parenting time plan.”
Visitation may be unsupervised, supervised, or even denied in rare cases, depending on the child’s best interests and the circumstances of the parents.
How Do Oklahoma Courts Determine Visitation?
Courts prioritize the best interests of the child when determining visitation rights. Judges consider various factors, including:
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable, safe environment
- The child’s physical and emotional needs
- Any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or neglect
- The child’s preferences (especially if age 12 or older)
- Each parent’s willingness to foster the child’s relationship with the other parent
In most cases, the court encourages generous visitation unless it would pose a risk to the child’s well-being.
Types of Visitation Orders
Oklahoma courts may issue different types of visitation orders based on the facts of each case:
- Standard Visitation: Often includes alternating weekends, weekday evenings, holidays, and school breaks.
- Supervised Visitation: Required when safety concerns exist. A third party or professional supervisor monitors visits.
- No Visitation: Rare and typically issued in cases of severe abuse, neglect, or when the parent poses a danger to the child.
- Liberal or Flexible Visitation: Allows parents to create their own schedule through mutual agreement.
Visitation plans are typically part of a broader custody order and are enforceable by law.
Can Visitation Be Modified?
A parent can request a modification of visitation rights if there has been a substantial change in circumstances and the proposed change serves the child’s best interests. Examples include:
- A parent relocates
- The child’s schedule or needs change
- A parent fails to comply with the current order
- New concerns arise about the child’s safety or well-being
To request a modification, the parent must file a motion in the court that issued the original order.
Tulsa Visitation Rights Attorneys
Whether you’re creating a parenting plan for the first time, seeking to enforce your rights, or modifying an existing order, it’s important to understand how visitation works under Oklahoma law. Visitation is more than a legal right—it’s essential for maintaining strong, healthy bonds between parents and children. The visitation attorneys at Tulsa Divorce Attorneys and Associates offer a free consultation. Just call us at 539.302.0303 or simply click here to ask a child custody legal question.