{"id":376519,"date":"2019-02-05T11:11:42","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T16:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/visitation-rights-in-tennessee.html"},"modified":"2019-02-05T11:17:21","modified_gmt":"2019-02-05T16:17:21","slug":"visitation-rights-in-tennessee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/visitation-rights-in-tennessee.html","title":{"rendered":"Visitation Rights in Tennessee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Visitation Rights in Tennessee<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

After a romantic relationship has run its course, custody determinations<\/a> should be addressed for couples with children. If the parents can’t agree to visitation terms, then the court will step in to make the arrangements and put its decisions into a parenting plan.<\/p>\r\n

In Tennessee, there are two main custody roles concerning physical custody. The primary residential parent<\/i> (PRP) is the parent with whom a child lives with more than the other parent. The other parent is referred to as the "alternative residential parent" (ARB). The ARB doesn’t live with the child, but they’re still entitled to parenting time<\/i> or visitation rights.<\/p>\r\n

Visitation Rights in Tennessee at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

The best way to get help with understanding complex statutes is by talking with an attorney. However, you can also learn about the law by reading a plain language version of the content. The chart below details important takeaways about visitation rights in Tennessee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code Annotated<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Parental Rights<\/b><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Communication Rights<\/b><\/p>\r\n

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  • The right to unimpeded phone conversations with the child at least twice a week at reasonable times and for reasonable durations;<\/li>\r\n
  • The right to send mail to the child which the other parent shall not destroy, deface, open, or censor; and<\/li>\r\n
  • The right to receive notice and relevant information as soon as practical (but within 24 hours) about hospitalization, major illness, injury, or death of the child.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Denial of Visitation Rights<\/b><\/p>\r\n

    Any parent who has been convicted of rape, aggravated rape, or rape of a child is denied visitation rights and custody rights.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Compliance with Visitation Order<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

In all cases where visitation is ordered, both parents must comply with the order by turning over custody of the child on the days and at the times in the order and by picking up the child and returning the child on the days and at the times that are ordered by the court.<\/p>\r\n

Penalties for Noncompliance<\/b><\/p>\r\n

If a parent denies the other parent their court-ordered parenting time, the offending parent may be:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Held in contempt;<\/li>\r\n
  • Fined; or<\/li>\r\n
  • Jailed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Grandparent Visitation Rights<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee recognizes visitation rights for grandparents. The grandparents will only be awarded visitation if it’s in the best interests of the child<\/a>. In determining that, the court will consider the following:<\/p>\r\n