Four Corners Child Visitation Lawyer

Protecting Your Time With Your Child

If you are facing a visitation or parenting time problem in the Four Corners area, you are likely worried about one thing above everything else, your relationship with your child. Whether the other parent is denying visits, changing the schedule without agreement, or pushing for restrictions, you need steady legal guidance, not guesswork.

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, we help parents and guardians work through these issues with a clear plan and strong advocacy. With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, our team understands how Florida family courts around Four Corners handle parenting plans and visitation disputes. We work to bring structure and direction into what can feel like a chaotic situation.

From your first call, our goal is to help you feel less overwhelmed and more informed. We walk through your concerns, explain your options in plain language, and outline the next steps so you know what to expect instead of fearing the unknown.

Contact our firm today at (888) 835-5840 to request a consultation.

What is Visitation?

In Florida, the legal system has largely transitioned away from the term "visitation" in favor of "timesharing." This shift reflects a modern understanding of parenting: both parents should be actively involved in the upbringing of their children, rather than one parent "visiting" while the other "custodies."

However, the core concept remains the same. Visitation refers to the specific schedule and manner in which a non-residential parent spends time with their child. In Four Corners, FL, the courts operate under the presumption that frequent and continuing contact with both parents is generally in the child’s best interest, provided it is safe to do so.

Whether you are going through a divorce or were never married to the other parent, establishing a formal legal order for visitation is the only way to ensure your parental rights are enforceable.

Common Types of Visitation Arrangements

No two families are identical, and the law allows for flexibility to accommodate different work schedules, school calendars, and safety needs. As your Four Corners visitation lawyer, we help you advocate for a structure that fits your life.

Unsupervised Visitation

This is the most common arrangement. It allows the parent to spend time with the child without the presence of a third party. This often includes overnights, weekends, and alternating holidays.

Supervised Visitation

In cases where there are concerns regarding a parent’s history of substance abuse, domestic violence, or neglect, a judge may order supervised visitation. These meetings take place in the presence of a court-approved supervisor or at a designated facility in the Four Corners area to ensure the child’s safety.

Virtual Visitation

With the rise of digital communication, Florida courts frequently include "electronic communication" in parenting plans. This includes scheduled video calls (FaceTime/Zoom), phone calls, or messaging, ensuring parents stay connected even when physical distance is a factor.

Therapeutic Visitation

Sometimes, if a parent has been absent for a long period, a "reunification" or therapeutic visitation plan is implemented. This involves a mental health professional who assists in rebuilding the bond between the parent and child in a healthy, structured environment.

How to Obtain Visitation Rights in Family Court

Securing legal rights to see your child involves a specific process within the Florida circuit court system. While every case has unique nuances, the general path includes:

1. Filing a Petition: The process begins by filing a Petition to Establish a Parenting Plan or a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce). This notifies the court that you are seeking a formal schedule.
2. Establishing Paternity: If the parents were not married at the time of birth, the father must legally establish paternity before he can formally request visitation rights.
3. Mediation: Florida courts typically require parents to attend mediation. This is a confidential meeting where a neutral third party helps both parents try to agree on a schedule without a judge’s intervention.
4. The "Best Interests of the Child" Standard: If mediation fails, a judge will decide the schedule. They evaluate factors such as the moral fitness of the parents, the child’s school record, and the ability of each parent to provide a stable routine.
5. Final Judgment: Once an agreement is reached or a judge makes a ruling, a Final Judgment is entered. This is a legally binding document.

Visitation FAQs

Do I have to pay child support to get visitation?

In the eyes of Florida law, child support and visitation are two separate issues. You cannot be denied access to your child simply because you are behind on support. Conversely, you cannot stop paying support just because the other parent is blocking your time. Both issues should be handled through the court.

Can a child choose which parent they want to stay with?

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

What happens if the other parent violates the visitation schedule?

If a parent consistently denies you your court-ordered time, you can file a Motion for Contempt and Enforcement. The court may award you "make-up time," order the other parent to pay your legal fees, or even modify the custody arrangement in your favor.

Can I change my visitation schedule later?

Yes. If there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances (such as a job relocation or a change in the child's needs), you can petition the court for a modification of the parenting plan.

What can I do if my ex keeps denying visits?

You should document each missed visit, follow your existing order as closely as possible, and speak with an attorney quickly. We can review your parenting plan, evaluate patterns of interference, and advise whether enforcement, contempt, or modification options may fit your situation.

How do judges in this area decide visitation?

Judges apply Florida’s best interest factors, which look at your child’s needs, each parent’s involvement, and how well parents support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Courts in this region generally favor stable, child-focused schedules when both parents are safe and appropriate caregivers.

Can your team help change an existing parenting plan?

Yes, we handle modification requests when there has been a substantial, lasting change, such as a move, new work schedule, or serious parenting concerns. We explain what the court typically looks for, gather supporting information, and build a strategy to request appropriate changes.

How much contact will I have with my attorney?

Our goal is for you to feel informed throughout your case. You can expect prompt responses to calls and messages, regular updates, and meaningful contact before key events like mediation and hearings. Our attorneys and paralegals work together to keep communication consistent.

How quickly can we get into court if needed?

The timing depends on the county, the type of motion, and the court’s calendar. Once you retain us, we act quickly on filings and request hearing dates as soon as procedures allow. We also discuss temporary steps you can take while the case is pending.

How We Approach Visitation Cases

When you contact our firm about a visitation problem, we focus first on helping you feel grounded. In the initial conversation, we listen carefully to what has been happening, how it affects your child, and what you want your time sharing to look like. One of our attorneys explains where you are in the legal process and which tools may apply to your situation.

We then work with you to build a structured plan. That plan covers realistic best and worst case outcomes so you are not surprised later. We describe how judges in this part of Central Florida commonly look at parenting time, what evidence matters, and what steps we can take to protect your time with your child. If cooperation with the other parent is possible, we explore negotiated schedules or modifications. If it is not, we prepare for hearings with the same focus we bring to any contested matter.

Our litigation background helps in both settlement discussions and the courtroom. Our founder has over 20 years in practice, and another attorney spent nearly a decade as a public defender handling hearings and trials. This experience allows us to present your case clearly and respond effectively when the other side pushes back. Parents who hire a child visitation lawyer in Four Corners want someone who will stand up for them when it counts.

Call (888) 835-5840 to speak with our team.