Family law
Can I Have Video Calls With My Kids When They Are at the Other Parent's House?
Quick answer
Many parenting plans now include scheduled phone or video calls so a child can stay connected with one parent while staying at the other parent's home. This page explains how these calls, sometimes called virtual visitation or electronic communication, typically work in custody cases.
Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal · Last updated June 2026
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Video calls with your kids from the other parent's house
What virtual visitation means
Virtual visitation is a general term for contact between a parent and child through technology, such as video calls, phone calls, or messaging, during the time the child is with the other parent. It supplements in-person parenting time rather than replacing it, and it is especially common when parents live far apart or when one parent has long stretches without physical custody.
Courts in many places recognize that regular contact with both parents usually benefits a child, and video calls are one way to maintain that contact between exchanges. Whether and how a court addresses electronic communication varies by state, so check your state's guide for how local courts tend to handle it.
Putting video calls in your parenting plan
The most reliable way to protect call time is to write it into the parenting plan or custody order rather than leaving it as an informal understanding. A clear provision usually covers how often calls happen, roughly when they occur, how long they last, who initiates the call, and what platform is used. Vague language like reasonable phone contact tends to cause conflict because each parent interprets it differently.
Good provisions are also age-appropriate. A toddler may only manage a few minutes with help from the other parent, while a teenager may prefer flexible texting over a scheduled call. Many plans state that calls should be private, meaning the other parent does not monitor or coach the child, and that calls should not disrupt school, meals, bedtime, or planned activities. Because judges in different states treat these provisions differently, it helps to review your state's guide before proposing specific language.
Ground rules that keep calls low-conflict
Video calls work best when both parents treat them as the child's time, not an opportunity to check up on the other household. Common ground rules include keeping calls to the agreed schedule, not questioning the child about the other parent's home or personal life, and not using the call to argue or relay messages between adults.
The parent hosting the child also has a role, which is usually to make the child reasonably available, provide a working device and a quiet space, and encourage the call without hovering. Missed calls happen, so many families agree on a simple makeup practice, such as trying again later the same day, instead of treating every missed call as a violation.
What to do if the other parent blocks your calls
Start by documenting what is happening. Keep a simple log of scheduled calls, missed calls, and any messages about them, and communicate in writing so there is a record. Then check what your current order actually says. If it does not mention calls at all, the other parent may not be violating anything, which is a sign you may need to ask the court to add call provisions.
If your order does require calls and the other parent repeatedly prevents them, options generally include asking the court to modify the order to make the terms more specific, or asking the court to enforce the existing order. The exact process and the forms involved vary by state, so review your state's guide before filing. This page is general information, not legal advice, and Onbello is a document preparation service, not a law firm, so consider talking to a lawyer in your state if the situation is contentious.
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Where to check this
Forms, deadlines, and local rules change. Verify anything on this page against the official self-help resources for your state before you rely on it.
This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.