One missed visit does not define your relationship with your child. Life’s unpredictability sometimes conflicts with even the most carefully planned schedules. What matters is how you respond when circumstances force you to miss parenting time. Fortunately, Massachusetts law offers opportunities to make things right through makeup parenting time.
How can makeup time support the relationship with your child?
Makeup parenting time gives you a chance to reconnect with your child after missed visits. When the other parent interferes with scheduled time, gaps form in the parent-child relationship. Children need consistent contact with both parents for healthy development. Makeup time helps restore that lost time and maintain a strong parent-child bond.
How can you file a request in court?
If personal circumstances prevented visits, courts generally expect parents to work together to reschedule. However, if the other parent wrongfully denied scheduled parenting time, a Complaint for Contempt can be filed with the Probate and Family Court.
If the court finds a parent in contempt for wrongfully denying parenting time, it can award compensatory makeup time. This makeup time is structured around the child’s best interests. The violating parent is also ordered to pay the innocent parent’s reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.
What evidence do you need to gather?
Courts require evidence to prove wrongfully denied parenting time. Records should demonstrate a pattern of denied or interfered parenting time. Helpful evidence may include:
- A record of missed visits with dates and reasons
- Proof of emergencies or other unavoidable circumstances
- Messages about trying to reschedule with the other parent
- Work schedules or medical records supporting the missed visits
- A proposed makeup schedule that fits the child’s routine
Strong evidence shows the court that the other parent violated the order. It also demonstrates your efforts to maintain the parent-child relationship despite obstacles.
Rebuilding connection with your child
No parent wants to miss precious time with their child. The good news is that options exist to make up for missed custody visits and maintain the parent-child bond. Massachusetts law supports meaningful relationships between children and both parents. Taking proactive steps to address missed visits reinforces your commitment to that relationship.
