What is visitation and how does it work?

When one parent is granted primary custody of the child or children, that parent is termed the “custodial parent.” The “noncustodial parent” is granted visitation rights or parenting time (the terms are used interchangeably). Typically, visitation is one or two days a week, and alternating weekends, holidays, and school vacations. The actual visitation schedule depends on the age of the child, the distance the parents live from one another, and the parents’ schedules.