Clarksville Visitation Rights Lawyer

Experienced Visitation Rights Attorneys Serving Clarksville, TN

When parents separate or divorce, one of the most emotionally charged and complex issues to resolve is child custody and visitation. While the law prioritizes the best interests of the child, parents also have fundamental rights to maintain strong, meaningful relationships with their children. Disputes over parenting time, scheduling, or interference with visitation can quickly escalate, and navigating the legal process without experienced representation can place both your parental rights and your child’s emotional well-being at risk. A Clarksville visitation rights lawyer can help you protect your relationship with your child and ensure a fair, legally enforceable parenting plan is in place.

To speak with our experienced Clarksville visitation rights lawyers, call us at (731) 256-0023 or contact us online today. 

What Are Visitation Rights?

In Tennessee, visitation refers to the time a non-custodial parent spends with their child. When one parent is awarded primary residential custody (also known as being the Primary Residential Parent, or PRP), the other parent—referred to as the Alternate Residential Parent (ARP)—typically receives court-ordered visitation, also known as parenting time.

Visitation rights may be established as part of an initial custody agreement, modified later due to changed circumstances, or enforced if one parent violates an existing order. Tennessee courts strongly encourage both parents to maintain an active presence in the child's life, unless doing so would pose a risk to the child’s safety or well-being.

Parenting Plans in Tennessee

Every custody or visitation case in Tennessee requires a Parenting Plan. This comprehensive document outlines how parental responsibilities will be divided, including:

A schedule for regular visitation during the week and weekends

Holiday and vacation schedules

Decision-making authority (medical, educational, religious, etc.)

Transportation and exchange logistics

Communication between parents and the child

Our role as your Clarksville visitation rights lawyer is to help develop a parenting plan that promotes your child’s best interests while protecting your rights as a parent. If parents cannot agree on a plan, the court will impose one after reviewing all relevant evidence.

Best Interests of the Child Standard

Tennessee courts evaluate visitation and custody arrangements based on what serves the best interests of the child, not the preferences or convenience of either parent. Judges consider a wide range of statutory factors under Tennessee Code § 36-6-106, including:

The child’s relationship with each parent

Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home environment

The child’s emotional needs and developmental stage

Each parent’s past and potential future performance of parenting responsibilities

Any history of abuse, neglect, or substance abuse

The willingness of each parent to foster a close relationship with the other parent

Our attorneys help present clear, evidence-based arguments aligned with these factors to support the desired parenting time outcome.

Visitation Schedules

Visitation schedules can be highly customized based on the family's needs and circumstances. A standard visitation schedule might include alternating weekends, one or two evenings during the week, shared holidays, and extended summer vacations. However, many families benefit from more flexible or creative arrangements.

We help clients negotiate and formalize both standard and alternative schedules that work for the child’s routine and the parents’ availability. When negotiation isn’t possible, we’re prepared to advocate for a fair schedule in court.

Modifying Visitation Orders

Over time, life circumstances can change for both parents and children. Relocations, job changes, school schedules, remarriages, or health issues may require updates to a visitation arrangement.

In Tennessee, visitation orders can be modified when there is a material change in circumstances and when the change is in the child’s best interests. Common justifications for modification include:

One parent relocating

Changes in a parent’s work schedule

The child reaching a new developmental stage

Evidence that the current arrangement no longer supports the child’s well-being

We guide clients through the process of requesting a modification or challenging one, ensuring the court fully understands the nature and impact of the proposed changes.

Enforcing Visitation Rights

When a parent refuses to comply with an existing visitation order, the other parent has legal remedies. Denying court-ordered visitation is a serious matter and may lead to enforcement proceedings or even contempt of court.

Enforcement may involve:

Filing a Petition for Contempt

Seeking make-up parenting time

Modifying the parenting plan to prevent future violations

In extreme cases, requesting a change in custody

If you are being denied your parenting time, or if you are facing accusations of interfering with visitation, a skilled Clarksville visitation rights lawyer can help protect your rights and resolve the conflict through the appropriate legal channels.

Supervised Visitation

In cases involving safety concerns—such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental health issues—the court may order supervised visitation. This means a neutral third party must be present during the parent’s time with the child.

Supervised visitation is typically considered a temporary measure, with the goal of allowing the parent to address the underlying issues and eventually resume unsupervised visits. We assist clients seeking to either request or challenge supervised visitation based on the evidence and circumstances involved.

Visitation for Grandparents and Third Parties

While parents have primary custody and visitation rights under Tennessee law, grandparents and certain other relatives may also petition for visitation in limited situations, particularly when:

One or both parents are deceased

The parents are divorced or legally separated

The child lived with the grandparent for a significant period

The child’s parent is missing or incarcerated

Courts will grant grandparent visitation only when it’s proven that denial would cause substantial harm to the child. These cases are legally complex and fact-specific. Our attorneys have the experience to navigate these sensitive petitions effectively.

Helping You Build and Maintain Your Relationship With Your Child

The time you spend with your child is irreplaceable. Ensuring that visitation arrangements are fair, enforceable, and tailored to your family’s needs is one of the most important legal matters you’ll ever face. Whether you are negotiating a parenting plan, dealing with a visitation dispute, or seeking to modify an existing order, our team is here to help.

Every case is different, and we tailor our strategy to your specific goals and concerns. We combine legal knowledge with practical problem-solving to help clients achieve outcomes that foster healthy parent-child relationships.

Speak With a Clarksville Visitation Rights Lawyer Today

Protecting your parental rights and your child's emotional well-being requires more than just legal paperwork—it requires advocacy, clarity, and commitment. Speak with a Clarksville visitation rights at Casey, Simmons & Bryant, PLLC to get trusted guidance on establishing, modifying, or enforcing your visitation rights.

Contact our office to schedule a confidential consultation. We’re ready to stand with you at every step.

To speak with our experienced Clarksville visitation rights lawyers, call us at (731) 256-0023 or contact us online today.