A Helpful Aid for Long-Distance Access: Skype Visitation
When a couple has divorced and one or both of the parties has moved out of the area, it can make it can become extremely difficult and sometimes impossible for the non-custodial parent to have frequent access and communication with the children. With the increasing mobility of our society and the much more typical career changes that seem to be a staple of our current economic times, this situation has become a very common occurrence.
Standard Possession Order Visitation Schedule – Long Distance Access
This situation is so common in fact that the Texas Standard Possession visitation schedule (the one that is included in some form in most court orders involving child possession and access) has provisions that address both when the parents live within 100 miles of each other and also when they live further than 100 miles apart. The over and under 100 mile schedules are fairly similar to each other in most respects, with a few key differences.
Under the statute the non-custodial parent who lives more than 100 miles away is actually still entitled to exercise every other weekend visitation, if that party so chooses. While this might work for a dad living in Austin whose kids live in Sugarland, this is not so practical if that same dad got a job transfer to Seattle. In that case, visitation usually ends up degenerating into a limited number of longer visits, such as the summer and Christmas breaks.
Keeping in Touch with Your Child When You Live Far Away
So how can a person in this situation stay in touch with his or her children when frequent in-person visitation is just not possible? In the past the best you could do was make frequent and regular phone calls. But now technology has improved significantly on this. With the advent of Skype and Apple Facetime software, all it takes is a webcam and the visiting parent can have a much more interactive experience with their child.
I have had many clients who have requested and gotten orders that include routine skype access in addition to their regularly scheduled visitation periods. The schedule and lengths of time the sessions last vary based on the particulars of the case and also the age of the child. Clients who have utilized this technology have given it high marks as compared to just a phone call. If your situation involves long distance access this is something that you might want to consider in your divorce case.
Related Articles
Can Dad See the Kids if He’s Not Paying Child Support
Latest posts by Scott Morgan (see all)
- Travis Family Judges Roundtable Discussion on COVID Issues - August 19, 2020
- Five Tips to Help Your Divorce Lawyer Do a Good Job for You - January 9, 2019
- Parenting When Your Ex Is Rich and You Are Not - December 18, 2018
I agree it’s not ideal, but sometimes I think it gives my kids a chance to see their father without having to travel to him all the time. Our marriage didn’t work out, but at least they get to see him, and if this makes them feel connected and like they have a father figure (something they didn’t for so long), then I consider it to be a good thing. I like this option over an ugly battle… and it was one for a while.
Skype helped me rekindle my romance with my husband after we had separated due to job opportunities. Never underestimate the power of seeing someone on the computer. I’d imagine it’d make a world of difference for kids, too. Granted, hugs and kisses in person are much much better.
I agree, it’s not ideal, but it’s certainly helped fulfill some legal requirements and it also keeps him in check too. I don’t want him coping out of seeing the kids because of XYZ excuses…. at least this will help get him to do his part… being a FATHER!!!
I don’t like the idea of Skype at all. If he won’t make an commitment, I don’t want this to be his cop-out. He promised me and my kids the world. He should deliver!
I may not know every lawyer in Texas, but everyone at Morgan Law was great when I needed help recently. I appreciate Scott for these online posts. They are helpful and helped answer a lot of my questions. Thanks.
The information on this website is useful, but I live in Oklahoma and am interested to see if anything here on the site still applies to me. Do you have any good OK resources to share?
How long have you been in practice, Scott? I’m interested in helping out a friend looking for an attorney. I hear you’re among the best in the state. Help!
Hi Leslie, thank you for the compliment. I have practiced family law in Texas since 1994.