Where the request happens

Supervised visitation orders in Florida are issued by the circuit court in the county where the family law case is pending. For Miami-Dade County, that's the Family Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. The request is typically made as part of an existing case — a dissolution of marriage, a paternity action, or a petition to modify an existing parenting plan.

The basic legal framework

Florida courts begin with the public policy that each minor child has frequent and continuing contact with both parents (see § 61.13, Florida Statutes). To restrict that contact to supervised time-sharing, the court generally needs evidence supporting the restriction under the best-interests factors in § 61.13(3) — which include domestic violence, substance abuse, and the mental and physical health of the parents.

Supervised time-sharing is one of several conditions the court can build into a parenting plan — often called a safety-focused parenting plan. Florida's court system has also adopted minimum standards for supervised visitation programs; for more, see our overview of Florida's supervised visitation standards.

This page is not legal advice TruVisit Miami is a supervised visitation provider — not a law firm. Every case is different. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed Florida family law attorney. The information on this page is educational only.

Step 1 — Identify the right motion or petition

How you raise the request depends on the posture of your case:

  • No case open yet — File the underlying action (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Petition to Establish Paternity, etc.) and include a request for supervised time-sharing in the proposed parenting plan.
  • Case open, no parenting plan yet — Request supervised time-sharing as part of your proposed temporary relief or the proposed parenting plan submitted to the court. Florida's Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms include a safety-focused parenting plan template.
  • Existing parenting plan needs to change — File a Supplemental Petition to Modify the Parenting Plan. Florida generally requires a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances to modify time-sharing.
  • Emergency situation — File an emergency motion. The court can act quickly when there's evidence of immediate danger to the child. Where domestic violence is involved, a petition for an injunction for protection under Chapter 741 can also include temporary time-sharing provisions.

Step 2 — Gather your evidence

The strength of a supervised visitation request depends almost entirely on the evidence you can present. The court is not going to restrict a parent's contact based on a general feeling. Useful evidence categories:

  • Police reports involving the other parent
  • Injunctions for protection (active or historical)
  • DCF (Department of Children and Families) records
  • Medical or therapy records (for the child, where appropriate)
  • Drug or alcohol test results
  • Text messages, voicemails, or emails showing concerning behavior
  • Witness statements (sworn affidavits)
  • Photographs or video documentation, where relevant
  • Criminal records — public records or self-reported

Step 3 — File the request

File the relevant motion or petition with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts. Most family law filings in Florida go through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; self-represented parties can also file in person at the courthouse. Pay the filing fee (or apply for a determination of indigency if eligible).

Properly serve the other parent — this is procedurally important. A certified Florida process server or the sheriff's office can ensure service is done correctly. Improperly served motions can be delayed or denied.

Step 4 — Prepare for the hearing

The court will set a hearing — before a circuit judge or, for some matters, a general magistrate. Bring everything: your evidence, any witnesses, and ideally counsel. Be specific in your request:

  • What conditions of supervised time-sharing are you asking for? (Duration, location, frequency, who supervises)
  • What restrictions on contact between visits? (No phone calls, no overnight, etc.)
  • What "off ramp" is appropriate — what would need to happen to graduate to unsupervised time-sharing?

Step 5 — If the court orders supervised visitation

Once you have an order, you can engage a supervised visitation provider. TruVisit Miami activates most cases within 48–72 hours of intake. Have the signed court order ready when you submit your inquiry.

What if I'm the parent being subjected to supervised visitation?

You have the right to be heard. You can:

  • Oppose the motion with your own evidence
  • Propose less-restrictive alternatives (monitored exchange, drug testing, parenting class completion)
  • Propose a specific provider, location, or schedule
  • Request that supervised time-sharing be time-limited with clear graduation criteria

Many supervised visitation arrangements result from a stipulated agreement between both parents — not a contested fight. A well-structured stipulation can often produce a better outcome for everyone than a contested hearing.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can a court order supervised visitation?
In an emergency, the court can issue temporary orders within days. In a non-emergency, you'll typically wait weeks to months for a hearing. Once the order is signed, TruVisit Miami can activate most cases within 48–72 hours of intake.
Do I have to have an attorney to request supervised visitation?
No. You can file pro se, and Florida's Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms are designed for self-represented parties. That said, family court is procedurally demanding, and the cost of getting it wrong is high. Most parents who can afford counsel benefit from having one — at minimum for the drafting and the hearing.
How long until the supervised visitation order can be modified?
Florida requires a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances to modify a parenting plan — there's no fixed waiting period, but the bar is real. Supervised time-sharing orders can also include built-in graduation criteria — e.g., "after six months of consistent visits, the parties may move to unsupervised time-sharing."
Can the other parent refuse to comply with the order?
Refusing to comply with a court order is contempt of court, which can carry serious consequences. If a parent refuses to participate in court-ordered supervised visitation, the appropriate remedy is to bring it back before the court — typically via a motion for contempt or a motion to enforce.