Before the parents' separation, each child can live, be brought up, and be in contact with both parents.

This right of the child should be preserved if the parents are separated. Ideally, parents should be equally involved in the child's upbringing after separation, or reasonable arrangements for contact with the non-resident parent (parent not living in the same household as the child) should be made.

The extent of contact should respect the needs of the child, which include quality time with both parents. However, this is only sometimes the case for parents. In international families, it can be a compromise even more difficult. In cases where one parent prevents the other from seeing the child, legal action can be taken to secure this contact.

Again, it is the parent's choice whether to try to find a solution out of court or apply to the court for a so-called contact arrangement similar to the custody arrangements.

The custodial parent has to prepare the child for contact with the non-resident parent and to properly cooperate with the non-resident parent (planning the contact, informing about the child and their needs).

Most parents do not need to set up a "childcare schedule" and are flexible about when each parent will care for the child. However, for greater peace of mind and certainty, parents should schedule the exercise of care. They can then make this schedule known to their child, who will at least know when mum and dad will be looking after them.

If the parents conclude an agreement to regulate contact between the parents and the child, it is usually sufficient for it to be concluded out of court. However, if relations between the parents are strained, it is possible to apply to the court for a contact arrangement. The court will then decide to what extent contact between the non-resident parent and the child will be implemented. The judgment will be legally binding on the parents and will also be enforceable.

Right to information about the child

The right to contact with the child also includes the right to information about the child (their health and mental state, school performance, interests, etc.), which should be provided regularly by the parent caring for the child to the other parent. If this does not happen, the parents need to find a common way to share this information, e.g., by using co-parenting apps.

How should the contact be set up?

Whatever the parents agree, the extent of contact should allow the non-resident parent to take part in the child's upbringing. As a matter of principle, the non-resident parent should not become a "good uncle/aunt" who takes the child on a trip and then "return". On the contrary, the non-resident parent also has to properly care for and raise the child, and care for the child's healthy development.

Parental responsibility and its rights and obligations belong equally to both parents. Every parent has it unless they have been deprived by a court. Parental responsibility also includes the right to care for the child.

The childcare arrangements may change during the child's lifetime. It should be based on the child's current developmental needs, considering the child's opinion and the parents' possibilities. Therefore, it is impossible to say in general terms, which regime is the most appropriate. In practice, we encounter, for example, the following arrangements for custody and access: