Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Alone Time Visitations
Should a parent who has visitation spend ''some'' alone time with that child? The children who are 20, 18 and 12 keep asking him to spend some time alone with them but he has the need to bring other people ''all'' the time along. They have talked to their father over and over and come home very upset and disappointed :-( You can't get this time back. Soon they will be done with college, working full time and married with children of their own.

Asked on 5/05/09, 5:07 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Gregory Lee Gregory P. Lee, Attorney at Law

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Re: Alone Time Visitations

A parent -should- spend some time alone, if the visitation structure allows it. At the same time, the child also -should- spend some time wiith the father's extended family and friends, as appropriate.

Children 18 and over are not subject to visitation. They negotiate their own time with both of their parents.

Answered on 5/06/09, 6:36 am

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Re: Alone Time Visitations

The opportunity for alone tiome only grows out of frequent and constant contact. Often, if visits are limited or infrequent, people who work are forced to include the children as part of what would otherwise be their routine. Hopefully, the 18 and 20 year old won't be starting families of their own anytime soon and will wait until they are a little more mature and settled, and will take advantage of that time when they are old enough to really appreciate both of their parents and the strain that divorce puts on families and children by limiting their contact and interaction.

Answered on 5/05/09, 6:11 pm

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