Should You Bring a New Romantic Partner When Dropping Off Your Child for Visitation?

Should you bring your new romantic partner to drop off your child for visitation with their other parent? The short answer is – no, probably not.

Can you, though? Technically, unless a court order exists that prohibits your new partner from seeing the child, there is not a legal prohibition on having your new partner at these pick-ups and drop-offs. You can have another party at these swaps. However, a new partner’s presence at these meetings can potentially have a negative effect on your relationship with your child’s other parent, and even your children.

The confusion this may cause your children or the anger it may incite in the other parent is usually reason enough to avoid having a new partner at drop-offs or pick-ups. If the other parent has concerns about your child spending time with this new person, they can inquire about their criminal history or potential substance abuse problems in order to ask the court to restrict their time spent with your child. Additionally, if the other parent has concerns about the new romantic partner, your child spending a significant amount of time with this person may also be grounds for the custodial parent to challenge whether or not you are utilizing your visitation hours properly.

Additionally, there have been situations in which having a new partner at these arranged pick-up and drop-off times incites fights between the parties in front of the children, prolonging the meeting time and increasing tensions in an already delicate situation. When the purpose of the meeting is to facilitate a smooth transition of the child between parents, introducing a party that may make the situation worse is directly adverse to your child’s well-being.

Of course, not every new partner is a negative. In situations where both parents have managed to communicate healthily after the dissolution of the relationship, introducing a new partner who wants to play a role in the lives of their children might be a positive thing. Any parent will worry when their child is spending a significant amount of time with a new person, and facilitating an introduction between the parties might be a step in the right direction when it comes to co-parenting

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. Think realistically about the impact the presence of a new romantic partner will have on your child and your child’s other parent. Consider whether it is in the best interest of both parties, and whether this would escalate existing drama. While most people would highly advise against adding in any additional parties to pick-up and drop-offs at the risk of increasing tensions between parents, there are a few, very narrow situations in which bringing a new romantic partner to these meetings will not be totally catastrophic.

If you have questions about your current parenting plan or custody order, experienced family law attorneys at McNeelyLaw LLP are here to help. Call us at 317-825-5110.

This McNeelyLaw LLP publication should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion of any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own lawyer on any specific legal questions you may have concerning your situation.