Parent not using parenting time: recording missed visits in France
Published on 25/09/2026
Free tool The fact log, ready to print Open the fact logWhen a parent does not arrive for an agreed visit, the useful starting point is what was scheduled and what actually happened. This guide concerns French law and applies to either parent. It does not infer why a visit was missed.
Aridelle's free fact log helps keep dates and references to messages together.
Can a parent be forced to use parenting time?
The official French contact guide explains that there is no procedure to force a parent to exercise contact rights. Repeated missed visits may support a request to the JAF to adjust arrangements; the outcome depends on the case.
A parent failing to attend differs from someone refusing to hand over a child to a parent who is present. The latter is covered in the child handover guide.
What should a missed-visit record contain?
| Field | Factual information |
|---|---|
| Planned visit | Date, time, place and relevant court provision |
| Notice received | Cancellation or revised time, message date and channel |
| Observation | Attendance, actual arrival time or observed absence |
| Consequence | Changed arrangements or documented expense |
| Supporting material | Complete message, receipt or firsthand witness account |
“No message found” is more accurate than “never gave notice” when the history is incomplete. An agreed change should be distinguished from a missed appointment. A reason stated in a message remains the sender's explanation, not an independently established fact.
Is there an automatic notice period?
The official guidance does not establish one notice period for every family. The applicable decision or agreement matters. A late arrival does not, by itself, cancel future contact rights.
The record helps prepare questions for a lawyer or a point-justice. It does not change an order or establish fault. Applying to the JAF is a separate step.