Virtual Visitation Now an Option for Divorced Illinois Parents

 Posted on April 24, 2012 in Child Custody

An estimated 18 million children throughout the United States have parents who are divorced or separated, and another 17 million children have parents who have never been married. These statistics show that many, many American children are separated from at least one of their parents on a daily basis. In fact, a recent report from the National Center for State Courts states that up to 10 million children do not have regular in-person visits with one of their parents. According to a recent article in the Washington Times, technology is now providing a way for some divorced or separated parents to continue to connect with their children.

New modes of communication such as texting with cell phones, emailing via computer, and using video hookups through webcams and Skype can all make the distance between some divorced parents and their children seem not quite so far. Some states have gone so far as to incorporate these technological means of communication into their child custody and visitation arrangements. Illinois is the most recent state to enact rules regarding so-called virtual visitation, joining five other states; 22 other states have plans underway to add electronic communications into their child visitation laws. Most of these laws or proposed laws give family law judges the discretion to fashion virtual visitation orders based on the distance between parties and the arrangements that would be in the best interest of the child.

If you are considering divorce and wish to maintain a close relationship with your children, you should take advantage of the availability of virtual communications when in-person contact is not practical or even possible. Contact an Oak Brook Illinois child custody attorney today to discuss the potential for virtual visitation in your divorce case, and any other visitation or divorce issues that you might have.