Custody and Access

Child Access

Child Access means that one parent has sole custody, and the other parent has the right to access the child.

Access refers to the non-custodial parent’s right to spend time with the child and make inquiries about the child’s health, education, and well-being. However, access does not give the access parent the right to make significant decisions about the child’s welfare.

The types of access include:

Reasonable Access

With reasonable access, the parents can discuss how child access (including schedule, etc.) will be arranged.

Supervised Access or No Access

Supervised access is where the access parent cannot be alone with the child during the visit. The supervising parties can be a family member or other trusted third parties. Supervised access centers can also facilitate and monitor access to parent visits. The Court may order supervised visits when there is a safety concern with the access parent or if the child has not spent much time with the access parent before.

The Court may not grant any access if the Court determines that the access parent might harm the child, and supervised access will not provide sufficient protection.

Fixed / Limited Access

Fixed or limited access is where the Court sets the dates, times, and duration of the child access visits. In this arrangement, the parents don’t have to communicate with each other regarding child access directly.

Graduated Access

The Court may order a graduated access schedule, which gives limited access initially but gradually allows for more access over time. This arrangement allows the child access to get familiarized and build trust with the access parent if they had not spent much time with the access parent before or if the child separated from the access parent at a young age.

Child Custody in Ontario

When you are divorcing or separating, you need a skilled lawyer to make sure your child custody will be protected. Dealing with Child Custody in Ontario can be stressful. The Court certainly will question your ability to meet the basic needs of the children in your care.

The custody decision involves handling important decisions about your children:

• Education
• Religion
• Medical treatment

In Ontario, in most family law cases, the decision of the Court will consider the physical custody order and the parent’s income and can be about joint custody or sole custody.

Joint custody is when the parents must agree on major decisions that affect their child. Sometimes it is difficult for the parents to make the same situation. Sole custody meaning that the court chooses just one of the parents to make the important decision for the child.

When parents have an agreement, they can make a written parenting plan called a parenting agreement, a separation agreement, or a paternity agreement. Our team can help you to write the agreement.

At Juzkiw Law firm, we pride ourselves on helping people who are undergoing child custody disputes. Call us for a free consultation – 416-221-2221