What Is the Visitation Right in Custody in Jordan and How Is It Arranged?

Visitation in custody cases is a legal right intended to preserve the child’s relationship with both parents and, in some cases, close relatives. Custody should not be used to cut the child’s relationship with the non-custodial parent without a lawful reason. Visitation, overnight stays, and temporary accompaniment are arranged according to the child’s best interest and circumstances.

Article 181 of the Jordanian Personal Status Law grants both the mother and father the right to overnight stay, visitation, and accompaniment of a child who has reached the age of seven for five nights per month, whether consecutive or separate. For a child under seven, the parent who does not have the child has the right to see the child once a week, accompany and visit the child, and communicate through modern means of communication, according to the child’s welfare. The article also gives grandparents the right to see the child once a month.

Article 182 allows the court to modify the time, place, duration, or method of visitation, overnight stay, or accompaniment if there is a justified reason and the child’s interest requires it. Article 183 addresses the custodian’s repeated refusal to enable visitation or overnight stay without excuse. This may lead to temporary loss of custody and transfer for a limited period not exceeding one year, while considering the child’s welfare.

Accordingly, denying visitation without legal justification may have legal consequences. At the same time, visitation may be modified if serious reasons affect the child’s safety or best interest.