Karnataka High Court Suggests Replacing 'Visitation' With 'Parenting Time' in Child-Custody Cases

The Karnataka High Court suggested that courts use the expression 'parenting time' instead of 'visitation' when regulating contact between a child and the non-custodial parent.

Background and issue

The Karnataka High Court suggested that courts use the expression 'parenting time' instead of 'visitation' when regulating contact between a child and the non-custodial parent. Justice Lalitha Kanneganti observed that 'visitation' can imply that one parent belongs to the child's life while the other merely visits. The Court was considering arrangements involving weekend contact, school vacations and video calls. The observation does not create an inflexible formula for every custody case. Parenting arrangements remain governed by the child's welfare and the facts before the court. The terminology proposed by the High Court seeks to reflect continuing parental responsibility rather than a guest-like relationship.

Legal significance

The legal effect is confined to the judgment, order or procedural development reported here. Allegations, party submissions and oral observations are not treated as established facts unless expressly decided.

What follows

The matter proceeds according to the operative directions, statutory process or further hearing identified above.

Source: Original report