Child Visitation Lawyer in Phoenix

Arizona courts favor access schedules that affords both parents equal time with their child.

We understand that dealing with child custody and visitation issues can be emotionally and mentally challenging for parents. That's why the family lawyers at The Law Offices of Laura Gillis are here to provide you with reliable legal support and guidance. Our team of dedicated attorneys has extensive knowledge and experience in handling child visitation cases in Phoenix. We are committed to advocating for the rights of our clients and protecting the best interests of the children involved.

Here are some of the services we offer:

Child Visitation Rights: We understand that every parent wants to spend time with their child. We will help you understand your legal rights and work with you to create a comprehensive child visitation plan that works for you and your child.

Modification of Visitation Orders: If you have an existing visitation order but want to modify it due to changing circumstances, we can help. Our attorneys will assist you in filing a petition to modify the visitation order and present your case in court.

Enforcement of Visitation Orders: If your ex-partner is not following the visitation orders, we can help you take legal action. We will help you file a motion to enforce the visitation order and represent you in court to ensure that your rights are protected.

Grandparent Visitation Rights: In Arizona, grandparents have the right to visit their grandchildren under certain circumstances. Our attorneys will help you understand your rights as a grandparent and work with you to establish a third-party visitation plan.

Mediation Services: We understand that litigation can be expensive and time-consuming. That's why we offer mediation services to help you and your ex-partner come to an agreement regarding visitation. Our experienced mediators will work with you to find a solution that works for both parties.

At the Law Offices of Laura Gillis, we believe that every child deserves to have a meaningful relationship with both parents. We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve a fair and just outcome in their child visitation case.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced Child Visitation Attorney in Phoenix. We are here to help you every step of the way!

Child Visitation Overview

Child custody cases are not easy, which oftentimes makes child visitation difficult. Sometimes there are issues with parents who cannot get along long enough to do what is right for their child. As a client of the Law Offices of Laura Gillis, we will help you come up with a parenting plan and sort out any issues wit visitation, especially those that have been set forth by a court order. As family law attorneys, our first priority is with our clients and doing what is best for their children.

The parent who does not agree that it is in their child’s best interest to have equal parenting time with the other parent has the burden in court to prove that the schedule they want is truly what is in their child’s best interest. Proving that burden in court can be extremely tricky and requires an experienced family law attorney to help you get the schedule that is important to you. Ms. Gillis will always be honest with you regarding her assessment of whether or not your goals are reasonable or attainable. She will never tell you what she thinks you want to hear simply to gain you as a client.

Ms. Gillis strongly believes that it is best for parents to determine an access schedule together and come up with an agreed-upon parenting plan. There are numerous ways in which she can help even high-conflict parents to come together and devise a schedule that takes into account your concerns and the best interests of your child. If they are unable to agree on an appropriate access schedule, your family court judge will schedule a trial and take evidence to determine an appropriate order for legal decision-making and parenting time.

Even parents who are denied the right to participate in making legal decisions for their child are often entitled to have substantial parenting time unless parenting time with the non-custodial parent does not serve the child’s best interests. The best interests of the child are the court’s paramount concern. Parents may be denied visitation rights for the following reasons:

A court finds evidence of domestic violence that was directed toward the child, or

 

  • The parent has a history of alcohol or drug abuse
     

  • The parent has significant mental health issues such that their ability to provide proper care to their child is hindered
     

  • The parent's parental rights have been terminated

Child visitation problems usually require one of the parents to make an attorney visit to find out what their options are when there are issues with child custody and child visitation. If the custodial parent is the mother and she and the father never married, the father can establish paternity or be put on the child's birth certificate to gain child visitation rights.

Types of Alternative access schedules:

Restricted parenting time: parents may want to restrict parenting time for the parent that's non-custodial for several reasons, including medical concerns, the age of a child, or because that parent may be institutionalized. If this is the case for any of our clients, we'll set up an attorney visit to discuss the ramifications of their hospital stay and how that person's children might be better off waiting until they are feeling better.

Supervised parenting time: A court may order supervised visitation rights for a parent, which includes court-ordered contact between a parent and a child that is supervised by another person. A court will generally order supervised visitation rights if the parent poses a danger to the child.

Modifying an existing order for parenting time

If the current parenting plan is no longer desirable for either parent, the parent should seek a modification of visitation rights by starting a case in family court. Additionally, a parent should communicate openly about possible changes to the visitation schedule with the child’s other parent.

Under Arizona law, it is important to remember that a parent shall not file a Petition to modify a legal decision-making or parenting time order earlier than one year after its date unless the court allows it to be made on the basis of affidavits that there is reason to believe the child’s present environment may seriously endanger the child’s physical, mental, moral or emotional health.

A parent may petition the court after six months from the entry of the last parenting time order if the other parent has failed to comply with the provisions of that order.

Contact The Law Offices Of Laura Gillis Today

If you have any questions regarding a legal decision-making or parenting time issue, call the best child visitation lawyers in Phoenix today for a consultation at (602) 277-4736.