Free Child Visitation Letter

Templates built
by legal professionals
Easy to understand
legal forms
7-day trial
subscription

Create Your Free Child Visitation Letter

  1. Answer a few simple questions
  2. Email, download or print instantly
  3. Just takes 5 minutes

Child Visitation Letter

Signing Date


Signing Date






Your Child Visitation Letter

This document preview is formatted to fit your mobile device. The formatting will change when printed or viewed on a desktop computer.
Child Visitation Letter Page of
Page of

_________________
__________________________________
_________________, Alberta
__________

________________ ____, ________

_________________
__________________________________
_________________, Alberta
__________

Re: Planning child visitation

Dear _________________:

I am writing this letter to plan a visit between myself and our child, .

The visit will begin at _________________ on the 28th day of March, 2024. At the beginning of the visit _________________ will pick up  from __________________________________, which is located at __________________________________.

The visit will end at _________________ on the 28th day of March, 2024. At the end of the visit _________________ will pick up  from __________________________________, which is located at __________________________________.

If you need additional information or have any questions I can be contacted at the above address.

Sincerely,


___________________________
_________________

Last Updated February 2, 2024

Written by


Reviewed by


|

Fact checked by



What is a Child Visitation Letter?

A Child Visitation Letter is used to plan a visit with your child or to inform the child’s other parent that they’ve breached their child visitation agreement. The letter provides a formal way for separated or divorced parents to communicate in a civil manner about their child’s visits.

Child Visitation Letters can also act as a paper trail for your communication with the other parent and evidence if a visitation dispute goes to court. If the other parent doesn’t follow the court-approved agreement that outlines your visitation rights, your Child Visitation Letters can show your history of attempting to visit your child or remedy the situation.

What information is in a Child Visitation Letter?

The contents of your Child Visitation Letter will depend on what you’re trying to do with it.

If you’re planning a visit with your child, the Child Visitation Letter includes:

  • When the visit starts and ends
  • Where the child will be picked up or dropped off
  • Who will pick up or drop off the child
  • A list of special clothing or equipment the child needs for activities

If you’re informing the other parent of a breach in your visitation agreement, the Child Visitation Letter includes:

  • The type of agreement dictating your visitation rights
  • A description of the visitation rights in the agreement
  • How the other parent was non-compliant
  • How long the other parent has to respond to your letter

Can I use a Child Visitation Letter to change my current visitation schedule?

No, you can’t use a Child Visitation Letter to change your visitation schedule. The letter is only for planning visits or informing the other parent of a breach in your agreement.

Changing your visitation schedule or rights is a formal process that must follow child decision-making responsibility and parenting time laws and may require a judge's approval. By making it more difficult for parents to change the visitation schedule spontaneously, these laws help ensure children and visitation aren’t used as leverage in a dispute between parents. As far as the law is concerned, the child's best interests always come first.

For example, suppose your visitation agreement allows you to visit your children every weekend and the other parent wants to change visitation to every other weekend. In that case, the other parent can't simply make that change on their own. They may need a court order before making any modifications to your arrangement.

How do I create a Child Visitation Letter?

You can create your Child Visitation Letter by completing LawDepot’s questionnaire. Using our template ensures you complete the necessary steps to plan a visit with your children or inform the other parent of a breach in your visitation agreement.

Start your Child Visitation Letter by providing your and the other parent’s information. The information should include:

  • Names
  • Addresses
  • Cities and provinces/territories
  • Postal codes

Also, provide your phone number and email so the other parent can contact you if necessary and the children’s names you want to include in the letter.

Creating a Child Visitation Letter to plan a child’s visit

Use this section if you are using the letter to plan an upcoming visit with your child.

1. Provide details about how the visit will begin and end

Including as much detail as you can about how you’ll pick up and drop off the child helps eliminate any confusion and helps get your visit off to the start you want.

Let the other parent know the date and time you want the visit to begin and end. Also, state how you prefer to pick up and drop off the child. For example, is the child old enough to transport themselves to and from the visit (e.g., walking from school or driving themselves)?

Also, include the address and a description of where the child is beginning and ending the visit.

2. State if the child needs to come prepared for special activities

Do you have any special plans for your child’s visit? Maybe you’re going skiing or spending a weekend at the lake. In this case, let the other parent know in your Child Visitation Letter so they can pack the necessary clothing or equipment for the child.

If you’re travelling outside of Canada with your child, you may need a Child Travel Consent Form.

Creating a Child Visitation Letter because the parent breached the child visitation agreement

Use this section if you want to inform the child’s other parent that they’ve breached your child visitation agreement.

1. State the type of agreement you have with the other parent

You and the other parent likely have a court-approved agreement that outlines your visitation rights and schedule. State if your agreement is a/an:

Also, be sure to include the agreement’s date in your Child Visitation Letter.

2. Describe the visitation rights in your agreement

Describe the visitation rights your agreement gives you. If possible, use the exact wording the agreement contains. If you’re unable to access your agreement and don’t know the precise wording, summarize your rights as accurately as you can.

3. Outline the other parent’s noncompliance

Explain when and how the other parent hasn’t complied with your visitation agreement. What’s considered a violation can vary from province to province, but some common examples include:

  • Picking up or dropping off the child at the wrong time and place
  • Keeping the child longer than agreed
  • Trying to modify the visitation schedule without a judge’s approval
  • Not allowing the non-custodial parent to visit the child
  • Visiting the child outside the visitation schedule
  • Allowing a person without the court’s authorization to pick up or drop off the child

It is important to note that failure to pay child support isn't a legitimate excuse not to follow a visitation agreement. These are two separate issues; a parent can still visit their child even if they’re behind on child support payments.

4. State how long the other parent has to respond

Let the other parent know how long they have to respond to your Child Visitation Letter. If they don’t respond within this time frame, you can choose to exercise your visitation rights by taking legal action.

Related Documents:

  • Child Medical Consent: grant a caregiver or other person permission to make medical decisions for a child.
  • Child Travel Consent: provide parental permission for a minor child to travel with one parent, a group, another person, or alone.
  • Separation Agreement: establish terms for spouses to live apart, divide assets and responsibilities, and prepare for separation
  • Online Divorce Papers: Online divorce papers that can be used for no-fault, uncontested divorces, wherein both parties agree to the terms of the divorce.
Thumbnail of sample of Child Visitation Letter document

Sample

Child Visitation Letter

Personalize your Child Visitation Letter.

Print or download in minutes.

Create your Child Visitation Letter today
This document preview is formatted to fit your mobile device. The formatting will change when printed or viewed on a desktop computer.
Loading ...
Loading ...

Note: Your initial answers are saved automatically when you preview your document.
This screen can be used to save additional copies of your answers.