Legal Definitions - residential time

Residential time refers to the period of time that a noncustodial parent or relative has access to a child. It is also known as parental access, parenting time, or visitation.

• A divorced father may have residential time with his children every other weekend.
• A grandparent may be granted court-approved residential time with their grandchild.
• Stepped-up residential time may be granted to a parent who has been absent from their child's life, starting with limited visits and gradually increasing as the child becomes more comfortable.
• Supervised residential time may be ordered by a court if there are concerns about the safety of the child during visits with a parent or relative.

These examples illustrate how residential time can vary depending on the circumstances and may be granted or restricted based on the best interests of the child.