Visitation Rights & Child Support

by Randy from Miami, Florida, Miami-Dade County

Visitation Rights & Child Support:
How can I get visitation rights to see my daughter? Ever since my daughter was born the mother of my child has always denied me from seeing my daughter.

It is without a doubt that she is my daughter. I signed the birth certificate as well.

We have both moved on with our lives, but I barely get to see or talk to my daughter she is 5 years old. I am fed up with the foolishness.

About 2 weeks ago the child support services served me papers and stated that I have 20 days to get in contact with them. I don’t mind paying child support but I would like to see my baby as well. How would I go about getting visitation rights?

Answer to Florida Court Forms Child Visitation Question

Dear Randy,

As the father you have every right to have visitation rights with your daughter. To establish a visitation schedule you need to file a Parenting Plan, Form 12.995(a) through the court system. You can download that form from the Florida Supreme Court's website at www.flcourts.org. Instructions for the Parenting Plan form state in part:

The best interests of the child(ren) is the primary consideration in the Parenting Plan. In creating the Parenting Plan, all circumstances between the parties, including the parties’ historic relationship, domestic violence, and other factors must be taken into consideration.

Following this paragraph is a lengthy list of considerations relevant to child visitation. Florida courts support the idea that it is usually in the best interests of children to have both parents in their lives.

The instructions for the Parenting Plan form continue to state...
This standard form does not include every possible issue that may be relevant to the facts of your case.

The Parenting Plan should be as detailed as possible to address the time-sharing schedule.

Additional provisions should be added to address all of the relevant factors.

The parties should give special consideration to the age and needs of each child.

Ideally the courts would prefer that parents submit a Parenting Plan which they agree upon. In other words, it is much easier on everyone involved - you, your ex, and the court system - if you and your ex can decide together how to arrange visitation.

The courts would like parents to behave responsibly and respectfully towards each other. If you are not able to agree on a visitation schedule, the courts can guide you.

Notice: We provide these answers to the general public and our website visitors as a means to further their online legal research. These answers are merely suggestions and should not be regarded as legal advice.

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Our Self Help Guide, Modifying Custody & Visitation in Florida, helps you navigate the court process and procedures once you file your documents with easy to follow checklists, links to websites, important addresses & phone numbers, and much more. Modifying Custody & Visitation In Florida

See These Related Florida Child Custody Pages

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Go to Florida Child Visitation

Go to Florida Child Visitation Laws

Go to Florida Child Visitation FAQs

Go to Florida Parenting Plan Forms

Go to Modifying Child Custody & Visitation

Back to Florida Child Visitation Rights FAQs

Back to Florida Court Forms from Visitation Rights Child Support

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