Clermont Child Visitation Lawyer

Protecting Your Time With Your Child

When visitation is in question, every missed weekend, holiday, or phone call can feel devastating. You may be worried about what a judge will decide, unsure how to respond to the other parent, and afraid of making a mistake that affects your relationship with your child for years.

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, we help parents in Clermont and the surrounding Lake County area navigate Florida time-sharing and visitation disputes with clarity and structure. Our attorneys bring more than 40 years of combined experience, and we have spent decades guiding families through difficult custody and visitation matters.

From your first conversation with us, our goal is to steady the situation and give you a clear plan. We walk you through realistic outcomes, explain how courts that serve Clermont approach parenting plans, and prepare you for every step so you can move forward feeling informed instead of overwhelmed.

Call (888) 835-5840 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation.

What is Visitation (Time-Sharing)?

In the state of Florida, the legal system has moved away from the traditional terms of "custody" and "visitation." Instead, the law focuses on parental responsibility and time-sharing.

• Parental Responsibility: This refers to the decision-making authority regarding the child’s education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
• Time-Sharing (Visitation): This is the actual schedule that dictates when the child resides with each parent.

Under Florida Statute § 61.13, the courts operate under a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing (50/50) is in the best interest of the child. This means the court starts with the assumption that children benefit from spending equal time with both parents. However, this can be challenged if evidence shows that a different arrangement would be safer or more beneficial for the child.

Common Types of Visitation Arrangements

No two families are exactly alike. Our goal as your Clermont visitation lawyer is to help you craft a parenting plan that reflects the reality of your life. Common arrangements in Florida include:

• Equal Time-Sharing (50/50): This is the current legal baseline in Florida. Common rotations include the 2-2-5-5 schedule or alternating weeks.
• Majority Time-Sharing: In some cases, one parent may have the child for the majority of the year (e.g., during the school week), while the other parent has specific weekend and holiday time.
• Supervised Visitation: If there are concerns regarding a parent's substance abuse, history of domestic violence, or neglect, a judge may order that visits occur only in the presence of a court-approved supervisor or at a designated facility.
• Long-Distance Parenting Plans: If one parent lives outside of Clermont or the Lake County area, the schedule may focus on extended stays during summer breaks and holidays rather than frequent weekend swaps.

How to Obtain Visitation Rights in Family Court

Securing your right to see your child requires a formal legal process. Our Clermont visitation lawyer will guide you through every step:

• Filing a Petition: We begin by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (if divorcing) or a Petition to Establish Paternity and Time-Sharing (for unmarried parents).
• The Parenting Plan: Florida law requires a detailed Parenting Plan. This document must outline daily schedules, holiday rotations, transportation responsibilities, and how the parents will communicate.
• Mediation: In Lake County, most family law cases are referred to mediation. This is an opportunity for parents to agree on a schedule with the help of a neutral third party, avoiding a stressful trial.
• The Best Interests of the Child Test: If parents cannot agree, a judge will decide based on several factors, including:
  • The capacity of each parent to foster a close relationship with the child.
  • The mental and physical health of the parents.
  • The child’s school and community record.
  • Any evidence of domestic violence or child abuse.

Modifying and Enforcing Visitation Orders

Life changes, and sometimes the court order that worked two years ago no longer fits. Under 2026 Florida laws, you can seek a modification of your time-sharing schedule if you can prove a substantial and material change in circumstances.

Additionally, if the other parent is refusing to follow the court-ordered schedule—such as "withholding" the child or consistently picking them up late—The Law Offices of Justin Rickman can file a Motion for Contempt or Enforcement. Florida judges take these violations seriously and may award "make-up" time or order the violating parent to pay your legal fees.

Visitation FAQs

Do I have visitation rights if I was never married to the mother?

In Florida, an unwed father must legally establish paternity through the court before he has enforceable time-sharing rights. Simply being on the birth certificate is often not enough to guarantee a schedule.

Can I stop visitation if the other parent isn't paying child support?

No. In Florida, child support and time-sharing are treated as separate legal issues. You cannot withhold the child because of missed payments, and doing so could land you in contempt of court.

At what age can a child choose which parent to live with?

There is no specific age in Florida where a child gets to "choose." However, if a child is sufficiently mature, a judge may consider their preference as one of many factors in the "best interests" analysis.

What happens if I want to move away from Clermont?

If you plan to move more than 50 miles away for more than 60 days, you must follow Florida’s relocation statute. This requires either a written agreement from the other parent or court approval.

Talk To Our Team

You do not have to face a visitation dispute alone or guess about your rights. Speaking with a visitation lawyer in Clermont can help you understand how Florida’s time-sharing laws apply to your situation, what options you may have, and how to protect your relationship with your child.

When you contact The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, you connect with a team rooted in Clermont that brings decades of experience, strong courtroom capability, and a steady, organized approach to family law matters. We work to respond quickly, explain your choices clearly, and build a structured plan that reflects your goals and your child’s needs.

If your parenting time is at risk or your current plan simply is not working, taking action early can make a meaningful difference. We are ready to listen, review your orders, and talk through practical next steps.

To discuss your visitation concerns with our team, call (888) 835-5840.