how to contact lawyer about visitation rights

by Dr. Golden Rath 9 min read

Seek Legal Assistance Visitation agreements can usually be worked out directly between parents, or with a third-party mediator. In some cases, it is necessary to consult a family law attorney, especially when one of the parties shows signs of non-compliance or if the child’s well-being is in question.

Full Answer

Should I hire a family law attorney to get visitation rights?

Feb 16, 2022 · Child visitation rights are something that courts and judges want to grant to the non-custodial parent because they realize that it is important for each parent to have a significant presence in a child’s life. Contacting an experienced child visitation attorney is your best chance at securing your family’s rights.

What are visitation rights and how do they work?

What are my Visitation Rights? Father's Visitation. Noncustodial Visitation Contact Us We can help! Text or Call 214-516-7700 or send us a message using the form below Name * Phone Number * Accepts texts Email How can we help? 500 TEXT OR CALL Family Law Articles Visitation Rights

What happens when a parent violates their child’s visitation rights?

Find out more about visitation rights. Lawyers.com provides legal information and can help you find an attorney experienced in cases involving visitation rights and the law.

Can a non-custodial parent get child visitation rights?

Fill out the contact form to get more information on visitation rights or in case of any help. Attorneys are waiting to help you and your Visitation Rights. Contact Us, Get Consultation, Experienced Lawyers Are Ready To Help You. Important: The articles available on uslawyer.us are neither legal advice nor a replacement for an attorney.

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How to get a visitation order for a child?

The first step in seeking visitation with your child is to try to work something out with the other parent. If the two of you are able to come to an agreement, you can then turn that agreement into an order by fi ling a petition with the agreement attached . You then notify the other parent, who can file papers stating they agree, or you can both appear at a hearing and simply consent. The agreement then becomes the order. If you only reach an informal agreement and never get it put into an order, you cannot enforce your agreement should the other parent change their mind.

What happens at the first court appearance?

Court Appearances. At the first court appearance, which is scheduled by the court, the judge will encourage you and the other parent to try to reach an agreement. In some states, you may be required to have a certain number of sessions with a mediator to try to work out an agreement before the case can proceed.

What happens if you don't reach a settlement?

If you don't reach an agreement, your case will be scheduled for a hearing, at which you and the other parent will have the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses.

Can a non-custodial parent have visitation?

By Brette Sember, J.D. Noncustodial parents may have the right to visitation, also called parenting time, with their child. Each state has its own procedures and forms to request visitation. To apply for visitation, you must be a legal parent of the child, meaning you must either be listed on the birth certificate or have been found to be ...

How are visitation rights determined?

Establishing Visitation Rights. Visitation rights can be determined by the agreement of both parties or by a court order. In amicable settings between the parents, it is possible that a visitation agreement can be created.

What happens if you don't live with your parents?

Visitation Rights. When a parent does not live in the same home as a child, they are not automatically guaranteed visitation. When the two parents do not live together or the child is under the care of another adult the parents may be prevented from seeing their child. Understanding visitation rights and how to establish them is crucial.

Why is a well written agreement important?

Therefore, a well-written document is essential to resolve disputes. The agreement needs to be enforceable for both parties. For an agreement to work, legal help may be necessary. The document should make sure that all parts of the agreement are enforceable.

What is visitation rights?

Visitation rights are legal rights granted by a court allowing the parent without custody to visit and spend time with their child within certain limits. While judges have the ultimate decision making power about visitation, parents can write and submit their own agreement, which can be accepted by the court if the judge finds it fair and legal. ...

How to make a visitation agreement?

1. Define the parties to your agreement. The first step in making a visitation agreement is to set out who will have visitation rights. While this will most often be the parent not having custody of the child, there are situations where other individuals may get visitation rights.

What is legal custody?

Legal custody includes information about which party to the agreement will make important decisions regarding the child. When you write this section be sure to include information about decisions regarding school, daycare, religion, medical and dental care, emergency care, jobs, and driving. ...

What does a judge look for in a child custody case?

In making this decision, a judge will look at the child's age and health, the emotional ties between the parent and the child, the ability of the parent to care for the child, any history of family violence, and the child's ties to the community (e.g., schools and friends).

What is a child custody evaluation?

If a judge requires it, there will be an evaluation and analysis, by an expert, who will come to your home and make a determination about your fitness to have visitation rights.

What is reasonable visitation?

Reasonable Visitation. If you have been awarded reasonable visitation rights, there generally will not be any details as to when each parent will be with the child. Instead, these orders are open-ended and allow the parents to work out the details among themselves. Supervised Visitation.

Who is Clinton Sandvick?

Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 20,537 times.

Why do courts order supervised visitation?

Supervised visitation – The court may order supervised visitation for a variety of reasons including: reintroduction of parent and child, parenting concerns or mental illness, a history of abuse, substance abuse or neglect, and if there is a threat of kidnapping.

What happens if one party violates the visitation schedule?

If one party violates the visitation schedule, serious consequences may come into play, especially if it continues. A parent may lose visitation rights, be in contempt of court, or face criminal charges.

What are the different types of visitation?

Typically, child visitation arrangements can be broken down into one of two types: 1 Unsupervised visitation – The most common visitation, that allows the non-custodial parent spend his or her scheduled time with the child without being supervised by a neutral third party. 2 Supervised visitation – The court may order supervised visitation for a variety of reasons including: reintroduction of parent and child, parenting concerns or mental illness, a history of abuse, substance abuse or neglect, and if there is a threat of kidnapping.

What is child visitation?

What Are Child Visitation Rights? Visitation rights are afforded to the non-custodial parent in a situation involving divorce and child custody. The terms of visitation are laid out in what is called a “Child Visitation Agreement” or “Child Visitation Schedule.”.

Can you leave child visitation to the court?

However, tensions may be high in custody cases, and child visitation guidelines may have to be left to the court.

Can a visitation schedule be modified?

It is not uncommon for a visitation schedule to be modified. Life can get busy; jobs change, people move and children become more active. If you need to modify, try to work out an agreement with the other party, then submit it to the judge.

Is a visitation schedule enforceable?

A visitation schedule is only enforceable if it has been approved by a judge, or if the parties have written a legal contract. Even if you already have an agreement worked out, it is still recommended to seek approval from the court.

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Try to Reach An Agreement

Filing A Petition

  • If you opt to go to court, obtain the petition form used by your local family court, which can usually be found on the court's website or by picking up a form in person. The form needs to be completed with such information as the names and addresses for you and the other parent, the child's name and age, and the visitation rights you are seeking. B...
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Court Appearances

  • At the first court appearance, which is scheduled by the court, the judge will encourage you and the other parent to try to reach an agreement. In some states, you may be required to have a certain number of sessions with a mediator to try to work out an agreement before the case can proceed. You may also be required to meet with court personnel to try to reach a settlement. If y…
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Fulfilling Requirements

  • There is a chance that, although the judge might grant you visitation, it may come with certain requirements. For example, you could be ordered to attend parenting classes, take drug tests, or attend therapy before you are permitted to have visitation. If such requirements are given, you need to submit proof to the court that you have complied before visitation can start. When follo…
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