Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Child visitation - often called parenting time or physical custody - determines when and how a child spends time with each parent after separation or divorce. In Bowling Green, most family law matters are handled in the county courts that serve the city. The courts make visitation decisions based on the best interest of the child, weighing factors such as the child-parent relationship, the childs age and needs, each parents ability to provide care, the stability of the home environment, and any safety concerns. Parents can agree to a schedule and submit it to the court as a parenting plan, or they can ask the court to impose an order when parents cannot agree.
- You and the other parent cannot agree on a visitation schedule or the terms of a parenting plan.
- There are allegations of domestic violence, substance abuse, or child abuse that may affect safe visitation.
- The other parent is refusing to follow an existing court order, or you need to enforce a visitation order.
- One parent wants to relocate with the child out of the area or out of state, and you need to respond or seek permission.
- Paternity is in dispute and visitation rights are unclear until paternity is established.
- You need a modification of visitation due to a major change in circumstances, such as job relocation, a childs special needs, or a parent illness.
- You are a grandparent or third party seeking visitation rights and need help navigating standing and statutory requirements.
An experienced family law attorney can explain local procedures, help prepare pleadings, represent you at hearings, negotiate agreements, and protect your parental rights while focusing on the childs welfare.
In Bowling Green, the governing rules for visitation flow from state family law and local court procedures. Courts evaluate custody and visitation under the best-interest standard, which prioritizes the childs safety, health, and emotional well-being. Kentucky - the state that includes Bowling Green and Warren County - has statutes and case law that guide how judges allocate parenting time and resolve disputes, but the basic principles are common across many states.
- Custody terms: Courts separate legal custody (decision-making about education, health and religion) from physical custody or parenting time (where and when the child lives and spends time with each parent).
- Parenting plans: Parents are encouraged to submit a detailed parenting plan covering regular schedules, holiday and vacation time, decision-making authority, communication methods, and dispute resolution processes.
- Supervised visitation: If there are safety concerns, courts can order supervised visitation or restrict contact. Supervised visits may occur through a third-party supervisor, a facility, or a court-approved service.
- Enforcement and modifications: Courts can enforce visitation orders through contempt proceedings, make financial or custodial adjustments, or modify orders if there is a substantial change in circumstances affecting the childs best interest.
- Interstate issues: If a parent wants to move the child across state lines, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act - UCCJEA - usually governs which state has jurisdiction and how to enforce or modify orders.
- Child protection involvement: If child protective services or the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is involved, that agency may affect visitation and custody decisions. The court will consider any investigations and reports related to child safety.
Custody generally refers to legal authority over major decisions for a child - often called legal custody - and physical custody refers to where the child lives. Visitation or parenting time refers to the schedule of when the nonresidential parent sees the child. Parenting plans can combine these concepts and spell out specific schedules and responsibilities.
Courts consider many factors including the childs age, emotional and physical needs, the parents ability to care for the child, continuity and stability, any history of abuse or neglect, and, for older children, the childs reasonable preference. The exact factors and how they are weighed vary by jurisdiction.
Yes. If there are concerns about abuse, neglect, substance abuse, or domestic violence, the court can order supervised visitation or limit contact until the parent demonstrates they can provide a safe environment. You should present evidence of your safety concerns and, if necessary, ask the court for temporary orders.
Document missed visits and communications, try to resolve the issue through negotiation or mediation, and if that fails, file a motion to enforce the visitation order. The court can hold the violating parent in contempt, impose fines, modify the parenting plan, or take other enforcement actions.
Yes. Either parent can ask the court for a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances that affects the childs best interest. Examples include a parent moving away, a change in the childs health or school needs, or new evidence about a parents ability to care for the child.
Moving a child out of the area often requires court approval if the move substantially impairs the other parents visitation. The relocating parent should seek court permission or obtain the other parents agreement. If the move is contested, a court will consider the reasons for the move and the impact on the childs relationship with the nonmoving parent.
Grandparents and other third parties may seek visitation in limited circumstances, but standing and success depend on the specific state statutes and the facts. Courts balance parental rights against the grandparents interest and the childs best interest. Legal counsel can assess whether a grandparents claim is viable in your case.
If paternity is not established, a biological father may not have enforceable visitation rights. Establishing paternity through voluntary acknowledgement or a court order opens the path to request custody or visitation. If paternity is contested, you should address that issue first.
Mediation or parenting education programs are often encouraged and sometimes required by local court rules before a full hearing. Mediation can help parents reach an agreement without a trial, and parenting classes may be recommended or ordered when conflict or safety issues are present.
You have the right to represent yourself, but family law cases involve important rights and procedures. An attorney can help you understand local rules, prepare effective pleadings, present evidence at hearings, and protect your parental rights. If you cannot afford an attorney, consider legal aid resources, pro bono panels, or self-help centers available through the courthouse.
- Local family courts serving Bowling Green and Warren County for filing and hearing matters related to custody and visitation.
- State court self-help centers and forms for family law petitions and motions.
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the equivalent child protective agency for safety assessments or child welfare concerns.
- Local legal aid organizations and family law clinics that offer free or low-cost consultations and representation for eligible individuals.
- County bar association referral services to find experienced family law attorneys.
- Court-sponsored mediation and parenting education programs that help parents reach agreements and learn co-parenting skills.
- Domestic violence shelters and victim advocacy services that can assist with safety planning, emergency orders, and support during legal proceedings.
- Gather documents - collect court orders, parenting plans, school and medical records, calendars showing missed visits, texts or emails about scheduling, and any evidence relevant to your childs safety or wellbeing.
- Consider contacting a family law attorney for a consultation to review your case and explain options, timelines, and likely outcomes.
- If immediate safety concerns exist, seek emergency protective orders or temporary custody through the courthouse and contact local child protective services or law enforcement as appropriate.
- Try mediation if both parents are willing - a mediated parenting plan can save time, cost, and emotional strain and courts often favor agreements reached by the parties.
- If you cannot resolve the matter privately, prepare to file the appropriate petition or response with the family court in the county that has jurisdiction, and be ready to present evidence that supports your position on what plan is best for the child.
Remember that family law is fact specific and can vary by county and state. This guide provides general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Contact a licensed family law attorney in your area to discuss your situation and options.
