Can a mother be given no visitation during divorce?

Yes, a mother could be given no visitation during divorce. This is extremely unlikely but it is possible depending on the situation involved.

Judges look to the best interest of the child with respect to decisions affecting their welfare such as custody and visitation. Normally, equal time with each parent/caregiver is the ideal and preferred situation for any child since the child has the right to have a relationship with both parents. The child's relationship with the mother, in particular, is well regarded and long established as sacred in the eyes of the court. More recently, the importance of a father to a child's well being has also been given serious attention. Courts will attempt to make sure any child involved in a divorce gets equal time with each parent.

However, if a parent's presence is detrimental to a child, then the court could deny visitation. For instance, if a mother is an active drug user living in a drug house then the judge is not likely to grant visitation to that parent. It is possible that the court will mandate supervised visitation so the mother will still get to see the child but not put the child in dangerous situations or around dangerous people.

Denials of visitation are not given lightly. One spouse's dislike for a new girlfriend/boyfriend or hurt feelings are not enough to deny visitation. There must be proof that time with the mother is not in the child's best interest.