What is a visitation exchange?

A visitation exchange takes place every time a child goes from the physical custody of one parent to the other. In cases where both parents are able to set aside their personal differences for the sake of the child, there is usually no problem with the visitation exchange – one parent simply goes to the residence of the other to pick up the child.

Visitation exchanges become problematic when the personal differences between the parents are not settled. In the extreme, a domestic violence case makes the visitation exchanged difficult to handle, especially when restraining orders are in effect (such as an order that both parents are to stay at least 100 yards away from one another and may not go to the residence of the other). In these difficult cases, visitation exchanges can be conducted in a public place – a restaurant where one parent can sit in the back and then send the child to the front, in a local police station, hospital or library – places where there are a lot of people around who would notice if an argument between the parents erupted. In extreme cases, one parent would leave the child with a visitation supervision monitor and the other parent would arrive 15 minutes later, the visitation would proceed under the supervision of the third-party monitor, and then the visiting parent would leave 15 minutes before the other parent returns to pick-up the child. Creative visitation exchanges are sometimes necessary to allow visitation while keeping separation between the parents to reduce the possibility for violence between them.

Case Studies: Navigating Challenging Visitation Exchanges

Case Study 1: The Restaurant Rendezvous

In a high-conflict divorce case involving domestic violence, Jane and John struggled with visitation exchanges. With restraining orders in place, they were legally required to stay a significant distance apart and were prohibited from entering each other’s residences. To ensure a safe environment for their child, they decided to conduct visitation exchanges in public places.

One innovative solution was to meet at a local restaurant. John would discreetly wait at the back while Jane sat in the front, and their child would move between them. This arrangement allowed for visitation while minimizing the risk of confrontation.

Case Study 2: The Supervised Monitor

In another challenging visitation case, Sarah and Mark’s relationship was characterized by frequent conflicts and escalating tensions. Fearing for their child’s safety, the court mandated a third-party visitation supervision monitor. During visitation exchanges, one parent would drop off the child with the monitor, who ensured a safe environment and supervised the visit.

The visiting parent arrived 15 minutes later, and the visitation proceeded under the monitor’s watchful eye. This arrangement provided a level of separation between Sarah and Mark, reducing the potential for violence.

Case Study 3: Seeking Police Protection

Samantha and Michael, amidst a highly contentious divorce, faced visitation exchange challenges due to ongoing conflicts. With a history of heated arguments and threats, they sought a solution that would ensure their child’s well-being. They decided to conduct visitation exchanges at the local police station. By choosing a neutral and secure environment, both parents felt safer during the handovers. The police presence served as a deterrent and provided an added layer of protection for all involved parties.