1) When parents divorce, one parent is typically awarded custody while the other is granted visitation rights. Visitation schedules can vary depending on each parent's needs.
2) Judges determine custody and visitation agreements based on the welfare of the child. Recently judges have been equally likely to award custody to fathers and visitation rights to mothers.
3) In some cases, grandparents and step-parents may be granted visitation rights if they had a close bond with the child when married to the child's parent, as long as the judge feels visitation is in the child's best interest.