One of the matters that is often resolved in a Massachusetts divorce case that involves children is the amount of parenting time each party will be entitled to. Even after an order has been entered, disagreements could arise between the parents, resulting in parenting time interference. This involves one parent interrupting the other’s time with the children, and the disruption may in some cases be considered a criminal offense. Parenting arrangements are not always formal, but having the court approve them helps the parents enforce their rights if a dispute arises. Interference with parenting time could occur indirectly or directly. Indirect parenting time interference may involve one parent disrupting the other parent’s communication with the children by refusing to let the children accept phone calls from the parent or preventing the other parent from becoming involved in school events or extracurricular activities. Other forms of indirect interference include one parent asking the kids to report on the other parent’s personal life, trying to persuade or force the children to refuse to visit with the other parent or belittling the other parent. Direct parenting time interference may also take several forms. One parent, for example, could take the children without permission to keep them from seeing the other parent. The parent may breach the court order and move to another state with the kids, refuse to return the children, or fail to drop them off at a scheduled visitation time. In some situations, one parent might try to prevent the other

Some parents may have questions about virtual visitation, especially if it is presented as an option during child custody determinations. Virtual visitation often appeals to non-custodial parents who see it as a way to maintain frequent contact with their children between visits. However, many parents have misgivings about it, particularly if they believe custodial parents are using it as an alternative to traditional visitation. Virtual visitation allows for parents and children to communicate in traditional ways via non-traditional channels. This type of communication, which often involves the use of video chat software, instant messaging or social networking sites, give non-custodial parents the chance to read their children bedtime stories, help them with their homework, see awards or trophies from competitions or watch recitals or sports events in real time. Proponents of virtual visitation say that allowing parents to stay in regular contact with children and remain involved in their lives in this way helps strengthen and maintain the bonds between them. Some parents and family law experts have noted the potential for abuse of virtual visitation. Custodial parents may use regular virtual contact between non-custodial parents and children as a justification for limiting traditional visits. In addition, judges sometimes will allow custodial parents to make a long-distance move in case where it would not normally be warranted because parents may be able to avail themselves of virtual visitation. Though it is a useful supplement that can bridge the gap in between traditional visits, non-custodial parents in Massachusetts often have concerns