Parent Time
Parent Time Attorney Lehi, UT – Hoyer Law
Hoyer Law Firm
51 E Main Street
Lehi, UT 84043
(801)901-0797
https://attorneylehiutah.com
At Hoyer Law, we help clients obtain parent time, visitation rights, or modifications to an existing parent time agreement.
Children don’t only need visiting time with parents; they also need time with extended family members after the finalization of a divorce or separation. Family members like aunts or uncles may also be included in the terms of a parent-time order which allows them to spend time with children.
Hoyer Law helps parents, grandparents, and other extended family members understand the relevant parent-time laws in Utah. We also apply these laws as part of our legal services to family members who wish to spend time with a child.
If you want to modify a visitation schedule, address a relocation, or help the grandparents gain visitation, Hoyer Law can help. We can also formulate, file, or dispute a visitation schedule on your behalf.
Parent Time and Custody
If you and your former partner have joint legal custody over your children, both of you have the right to make important decisions about your child. Joint legal custody doesn’t mean that you have shared or joint physical custody, however. One parent may also have sole physical custody, or the custody may depend on the terms of a court order.
A custody order requires cooperation from both parents, and will typically specify a schedule that involves parent-time during alternating weekends, one evening per week, or during holidays.
If the parents formulate their own visiting schedule, it should be in writing and filed with the court as part of the order to prevent conflict or disputes. This schedule should also specify pick-up and drop-off locations as well as the children’s transport arrangements.
If the parents live more than 150 miles from each other, the “long-distance” statute is applicable, which specifies times and weekdays for parent-time.
Circumstances change, however, and original parent-time schedules may no longer be practical or convenient. If you wish to file for a parent time modification, contact Hoyer Law for legal assistance.
Parent Time Modifications
Whenever there is a change in circumstances, parent times may also have to undergo modifications for the sake of practicality. The children’s best interests are always the priority, however, and several considerations have to be taken into account.
Considerations during parent time modifications include:
– The child’s development,
– The child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs,
– The parents’ ability and willingness to prioritize the children’s interests and to cooperate,
– The parents’ involvement in raising the child before the divorce,
– The distance between the parents’ homes,
– Any history of and potential for abuse and kidnapping.
In many cases, ex-partners will contest proposed modifications, especially if a parent moves away. If you are planning on moving more than 150 miles away, you have to give your former partner at least sixty days’ notice if you are planning on taking the children with you.
Navigating through the process of modifying parent-time schedules and resolving parent-time problems requires expert legal help.
Visitation for Grandparents
Grandparents may request visitation rights to children after a divorce or separation by petitioning the court directly or as part of the custody proceedings.
A court will typically grant the grandparents with visitation rights if:
– It is in the best interest of the children,
– There has been a change in circumstances, and the existing visitation order is no longer practical,
– The grandparent acted as the child’s custodian,
– There is a “substantial relationship” between the grandparent and the child,
– The child’s parent is deceased, missing for a long time, or is no longer the custodial parent.
If you are a grandparent who wants to request visitation of children or who wants to modify an existing visitation order, Hoyer Law will assist and guide you through the entire legal process.
Parent Time Legal Services in Utah
Parent time or visitation rights of a child can be a complicated matter after a contested divorce or a challenging custody dispute.
At Hoyer Law, we have all the necessary experience and skills to take care of turbulent parent-time matters, and we can help you gain visitation rights to your children or grandchildren despite animosity from other parties.
When you use our legal services, we will draw up and file all applications and documentation on your behalf and represent you during meetings and court hearings. We will also consult extensively with you to ensure that you understand your rights and the relevant procedures.
Contact Hoyer Law to learn more about our family law services or to schedule an initial consultation.
