Family law
Visitation
Also called parenting time
The time a child spends with a parent, often the parent the child doesn't mainly live with. Many courts now call it parenting time.[1]
In more detail
California's courts describe four main kinds of visitation orders: with a schedule, reasonable (open-ended), supervised, and no visitation.[1] Florida sets out time with each parent in a time-sharing schedule.[2] Virtual visits by video call may be part of a plan.[1]
Varies by state
States use different terms (visitation, parenting time, time-sharing, possession and access) and rules. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Supervised visitationVisits in which a neutral adult, a professional provider or another approved person watches and listens while a parent spends time with the child.
- Time-sharing scheduleIn Florida, the timetable in a parenting plan that sets when the child spends time with each parent, including overnights and holidays.
- Parenting planA document setting out how parents will raise their child after separating: how decisions are made about things like school and health care, and a schedule of time with each parent.
- Physical custodyWhere, and with which parent or parents, a child lives.
Read next on MediationList
Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Visitation: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/visitation/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.