Child Visitation Rights Tampa
Tampa Child Visitation Attorney — Time-Sharing Establishment and Enforcement
Child visitation rights in Florida are governed by the state’s time-sharing framework — and the law starts from a strong presumption that frequent and continuing contact with both parents serves every child’s best interests. Whether you are a parent seeking to establish or enforce parenting time, or a parent whose relationship with your child is being blocked, understanding how Florida’s child visitation system works is the foundation of protecting your rights. Mindi Lasley, P.A. handles child visitation and time-sharing cases throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, from initial parenting plan negotiations to contempt proceedings for denied time.
Mindi has helped parents who were being shut out of their child’s life — and parents who needed help formalizing a schedule that actually worked. Both situations require someone who knows how Hillsborough County courts handle parenting time, and who will fight to make sure the order reflects what is actually best for the child.
Florida’s Approach to Child Visitation — Time-Sharing
Florida no longer uses the terms “custody” and “visitation” in its statutes — the state replaced them with time-sharing and parental responsibility. The change reflects a deliberate policy: both parents are presumed to have an ongoing, meaningful role in their child’s life. Florida Statute 61.13 requires courts to develop a parenting plan that addresses:
- Each parent’s daily tasks and responsibilities during their parenting time
- The time-sharing schedule specifying how much time the child spends with each parent
- Decision-making authority for major issues — education, healthcare, religion
- Communication between the parents, including required methods and timelines
- How the child will be transported between households
Common Time-Sharing Schedules in Hillsborough County
| Schedule Type | Structure | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 50/50 Equal Time-Sharing | Week on/week off or 2-2-3 rotation | Parents who live close together and can co-parent effectively |
| Primary Residence with Alternating Weekends | One parent has most weekdays; other parent has every other weekend | When geographic distance, school, or work makes equal time impractical |
| Extended Alternating Weekends | Every other weekend plus one midweek overnight | When one parent has significantly less availability |
| Holiday and Summer Schedule | Primary parent during school year; extensive summer time with other parent | When parents live far apart |
| Supervised Visitation | Time-sharing only with a designated third-party supervisor present | Safety concerns, substance abuse history, or relationship rebuilding |
Establishing a Time-Sharing Schedule for the First Time
When parents were never married or when a divorce does not address parenting time, a formal parenting plan must be filed with and approved by Hillsborough County family court:
- File a petition for establishment of a parenting plan (or include it in a divorce petition)
- Both parents submit proposed parenting plans
- If parents agree, the plan is submitted to the court for approval
- If parents disagree, the court evaluates all best interests factors and enters a plan
Enforcing Child Visitation Rights in Hillsborough County
When one parent denies court-ordered child visitation time, the remedy is a motion for contempt. To enforce your rights effectively:
- Document every denied exchange — time-stamped texts, photos at exchange location, app records
- Communicate all requests and the other parent’s refusals in writing
- File a motion for contempt promptly — do not let violations accumulate without legal response
- Request make-up time as part of the contempt relief
Mindi Lasley, P.A. files contempt motions throughout Hillsborough County and builds the documented record that courts need to act. See also: Tampa Parenting Plan Lawyer
When Supervised Visitation Is Appropriate
In some cases, the court orders that a parent’s time take place only with a designated supervisor present. This is used when:
- There is a history of domestic violence or abuse
- A parent has struggled with substance abuse and is in early recovery
- A parent has been absent for an extended period and the relationship needs to be rebuilt carefully
- A parent has demonstrated behavior that creates safety concerns for the child
Related Practice Areas
- Child Custody Lawyer Tampa
- Tampa Parenting Plan Lawyer
- Modification Lawyer Tampa
- Paternity Lawyer Tampa
- Tampa Family Relocation Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can my child refuse to visit the other parent? | Not without legal consequence. A parent who allows a child to unilaterally refuse visits without seeking court modification can be held in contempt. |
| What if my ex takes the child to another state during my visitation time? | This may violate the parenting plan and potentially constitute parental abduction. File an emergency motion immediately. |
| Can I withhold child support if my ex denies visitation? | No. Child support and visitation are separate legal obligations. Withholding support in retaliation for denied visits creates additional legal problems. |
| What happens if I miss scheduled visitation repeatedly? | The court may modify the schedule, reduce your time, or enter other orders if a pattern of missed time is documented. |
| How do I get my visitation order enforced right away? | File a motion for contempt. Document the denial thoroughly. Courts can issue make-up time orders and sanctions promptly. |
| Can grandparents or stepparents have visitation rights? | In limited circumstances — Florida’s grandparent visitation statute has specific requirements. Stepparent visitation is addressed on a case-by-case basis. |
Local Resources for Child Visitation in Hillsborough County
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court | Hillsborough County family court — parenting plan and contempt proceedings |
| Hillsborough County Clerk of Court | File parenting plan petitions and enforcement motions |
| OurFamilyWizard | Co-parenting app used widely in Hillsborough County for documented communication |
| Florida Bar — Child Custody Guide | Overview of Florida time-sharing and parenting plan law |
Your Time With Your Child Is a Legal Right — Protect It
A court-ordered parenting plan is not a suggestion — it is an enforceable legal order. Mindi Lasley, P.A. establishes and enforces child visitation rights throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, making sure your parenting time is protected and that violations have real consequences. Call (813) 873-9047 or reach us at our contact page.
About Mindi Lasley, P.A.
Mindi Lasley, P.A. is a Tampa family law firm handling time-sharing establishment, enforcement, and modification throughout Hillsborough County. The firm represents both parents seeking to secure parenting time and parents defending against unjust restriction of their relationship with their children. Located at 1005 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602.