
In Florida, the right to spend time with your child is legally protected. Whether you are a non-custodial parent being denied court-ordered time-sharing, a parent seeking to establish a formal visitation schedule for the first time, or a grandparent or other family member seeking access to a child, Florida law provides legal avenues to protect meaningful family relationships.
At Grace Law PA, Attorney Grace Flores helps parents and family members throughout Orlando and Central Florida establish, enforce, and modify time-sharing arrangements that serve the best interests of the child.
Florida replaced the terms ‘custody’ and ‘visitation’ with ‘parental responsibility’ and ‘time-sharing’ under Florida Statute §61.13. The law creates a strong presumption that both parents should have substantial time with their children. Courts are required to develop a Parenting Plan in every case, specifying the time-sharing schedule in detail — including holidays, school breaks, and special occasions.
Denying or interfering with court-ordered time-sharing is a serious legal violation in Florida. A parent who repeatedly denies the other parent their court-ordered time can face contempt of court, loss of time-sharing, mandatory makeup time, and sanctions.
Under limited circumstances, Florida law (Florida Statute §752.011) allows grandparents to petition for court-ordered visitation if the child’s parents are divorced, one parent is deceased or missing, or the child was born out of wedlock. The burden on grandparents is high — they must show that the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health will be significantly impaired without the visitation. Grace Law PA assists grandparents navigating this challenging process.
File a motion for enforcement with the family court. The judge can hold the violating parent in contempt, award make-up time-sharing, require mediation, or modify the Parenting Plan. Documentation of each violation is critical.
No. Time-sharing and child support are legally separate issues in Florida. A parent cannot legally withhold visitation as leverage for unpaid child support, and vice versa.
Yes. Courts can order supervised visitation when there are concerns about domestic violence, substance abuse, or child safety. Supervision can be through a professional agency or a neutral third party.
If you are facing this situation in Orlando or Central Florida, do not wait. Attorney Grace Flores offers free consultations and fights for the results you deserve — in English and Spanish.
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