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Custody and Parenting Time (Visitation) Orders
Basics of Custody & Visitation Orders
Learn what the law says about child custody and visitation cases, what terms are used in court, and the types of orders you can ask for.
Asking for a Custody Order
To set up a child custody and visitation order, you or the other parent must ask the court for an order. You can both also reach an agreement and have the judge sign it as a court order. Learn how.
Responding to a Custody Request
If you got papers that ask the court to make an order about child custody and visitation, you can respond if you want to have a say. Learn how to respond and how to ask for the orders you want the judge to make.
Changing a Custody Order
After there is a custody and visitation order in place, 1 or both parents may want to change the order. Find out what you need to do to ask the judge to change your existing order or to change it by agreement between the parents.
Enforcing a Custody Order
When a judge makes an order about child custody and visitation, it becomes a court order and it has the force of law. Learn more about how to enforce a custody order when one parent is not doing what the order says.
Families Change
This is an online guide for families going through separation and divorce. With three versions – one for parents, one for children, and another for teens and pre-teens – it complements the legal information found here.