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

Fathers can create a strong bond with their children, and many fathers hope to remain an important part of their lives even after they do not need direct care. However, when it comes to child custody in Massachusetts, some parties may feel that a father’s rights need more attention. Recent cases have brought the issue of potential difficulties that fathers have in gaining custody of their children. Some parties still believe that fathers are not being treated fairly when it comes to having a say in what happens with their children. In some cases, fathers have expressed dismay at the fact that some mothers are allowed to put children up for adoption without the consent of the father. Typically, these cases arise when the parents are not in a standing, lawful relationship, which can make custody more difficult to navigate. Unmarried fathers face many more steps when it comes to seeking custody of their children. Unfortunately, they may also face less successful results than those fathers who were married to the children’s mother. Though steps toward more equal standards for mothers and fathers are evolving for child custody, unmarried fathers may still encounter hardships. In order to have a better chance for a favorable outcome when it comes to fighting for a father’s rights during child custody, concerned parties may wish to become more knowledgeable on the subject. Looking into information available in Massachusetts could allow a father to better understand certain steps he may need to take. Reaching an

Massachusetts readers may be interested in actor Jason Patric’s battle for the right to be a constant presence in the life of his 4-year-old son. In a custody fight turned ugly, Patric says he doesn’t want to be just a sperm donor. He wants full father’s rights as a co-parent and is willing to go to court to make it happen. According to Patric, he and his ex-girlfriend tried to conceive for several years to no avail. They then opted for in vitro fertilization. Their son, Gus, was the result. Patric asserts he was not merely a sperm donor. He says he is being denied access to his son because he is no longer in a relationship with the child’s mother. His ex-girlfriend denies that is the motivation. She says Patric offered to be a sperm donor and agreed to relinquish his rights as a father. Shortly after the two split, Patric reportedly began losing access to his son. In response, he filed a paternity case seeking custody of the boy, who was 2 years old at the time. Just under a year later, the court ruled that Patric was, in fact, not the natural father due to the in vitro fertilization process used to facilitate the pregnancy. Patric has since appealed the ruling and is awaiting a hearing scheduled for early spring. Patric says he once had a loving relationship with his child and that he wants to regain that closeness. If successful, his appeal could have a positive

Recently released data suggests that the rate of divorce filings among military couples has decreased in 2013. According to newly reported Defense Department data, divorce rates have fallen one tenth of a percent. However, divorce among families of enlisted service members still outpaces that of officers. The overall decrease in divorce filings is great news for Massachusetts military families. However, for parents who decide to end their marriage, fathers’ rights concerns are particularly troublesome for men in the military. While our nation extends a great deal of support and admiration for the men and women who serve within the armed forces, there are areas in which military service can actually serve as a detriment. Child custody is one example in which the decision to serve can lead to legal difficulties. Many men who have chosen to pursue a military career encounter difficulties when trying to assert their parental rights in a family court. One issue that military fathers frequently face involves the risk of deployment. In many cases, mothers and their attorneys are able to convince a court that the risk of deployment is a significant factor in awarding full or joint child custody to a man who serves within the military. As a result, fathers in this position can find that their ultimate child custody arrangement is not on par with that which a non-military parent could reasonably expect. For those who are passionate about remaining actively involved in the lives of their children after a Massachusetts divorce, this

For men in Massachusetts who are struggling over child custody concerns, there is evidence to suggest that serious harm can come from failing to adequately address one’s emotional needs. A recently released study took a look at the physical and mental health effects that divorce can bring. The results suggest that men in particular have reason to be concerned. Those who are engaged in a fight for father’s rights should take note of this research, and make a concerted effort to get the care that they need and deserve. The study, published in the Journal of Men’s Health, found that men who have divorced or are unmarried have a mortality rate 250 times that of men who are married. In many cases, premature death was caused by heart disease, stroke or hypertension. In addition, the rate of suicide among divorced men was 39 percent higher than that of married men. Divorced men were even more likely to suffer from the common cold. These findings make a significant statement about the health effects that can come from stress. Men who are going through a divorce or child custody battle should heed the unspoken warning that these and similar statistics provide, and make every effort to care for their physical and emotional well-being. Our society projects men and fathers as being tough, strong and invincible. In reality, however, the emotional trauma of a significant life event such as divorce can harm both men and women. For Massachusetts men who are struggling with

Headliner Ken Cuccinelli has been vocal about his support for father’s rights when it comes to custodial cases. As Va. Attorney General, he no longer practices law on a regular basis, but he’s well-known for his belief that men deserve more one-on-one time with their children than they get in many custody arrangements… and that it’s up to family law attorneys as well as society to be catalysts for change. Many Massachusetts dads embroiled in bitter father’s rights cases would likely agree with his assertions. Cuccinelli reportedly believes that father’s rights should be more accurately described as "family rights". From the viewpoint of his leadership experiences with Fathers for Virginia, a male-empowerment group that fights for the rights of men who want to be a part of their children’s lives, he has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for men to be able to spend time with their offspring following a separation and/or divorce. In fact, Cuccinelli’s trajectory to his current elected position has been based on his belief that father’s rights are integral to the bringing up of children in separated households. Though Cuccinelli has his detractors, namely activists who feel his platform is against the rights of women who have been abused by the fathers of their children, he stands by his tenets. He has made such strong waves that he was recently pulled away from his attorney general responsibilities to act as private counsel for a friend who was undergoing a bitter custody dispute battle. This