Visitation Rights Attorney in San Francisco

Over 65 Years of Combined Family Law Experience on Your Side

Visitation rights determine when and how each parent spends time with their child after a separation or divorce. For parents facing a disputed schedule, an uncooperative co-parent, or a court order that no longer fits their family’s reality, the path forward requires legal guidance that treats parenting time as what it is: a distinct right, not a footnote to a broader custody case. At Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP, we handle visitation matters for parents throughout San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area counties, including Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, and Santa Clara.

Our firm practices family law exclusively, bringing over 65 years of combined attorney experience to every matter we take on. Attorney Lorie Nachlis leads the firm as a California Board of Legal Specialization Certified Family Law Specialist with 40 years of experience as both a mediator and a litigator. That combination is directly relevant to visitation cases, which often call for skilled negotiation before they ever reach a courtroom.

If you’re dealing with a visitation dispute, a schedule that isn’t being honored, or circumstances that have changed since your last order, we’re here to help. Call (415) 855-9344 to schedule a consultation.

How California Law Defines Visitation Rights

Under the California Family Code, visitation rights are the portion of a custody order that specifies when and how the noncustodial parent spends time with the child. Every visitation determination is governed by the best interests of the child standard, and California’s default policy strongly favors frequent and continuing contact between the child and both parents, provided that contact is safe.

Courts recognize several visitation structures depending on the family’s circumstances:

• Scheduled visitation: Specific dates, times, and arrangements are written into the court order, removing ambiguity about when each parent has the child.
• Reasonable visitation: The order gives parents flexibility to work out the details by mutual agreement, which works when co-parent communication is functional.
• Supervised visitation: A neutral adult or professional agency is present during visits, typically ordered when there are safety concerns such as a history of family violence or substance abuse.
• No visitation: Reserved for rare circumstances where any contact would endanger the child.

A visitation order is a legally binding court order. Failing to comply with its terms can constitute contempt of court, with legal consequences for the non-complying parent.

How the San Francisco Unified Family Court Handles Visitation Disputes

Contested visitation matters in San Francisco are heard in the San Francisco Unified Family Court, the specialized family law division of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The court has specific procedural requirements that shape how a case can move from dispute to resolution.

Before a judge can hear a contested visitation matter, both parents must complete a court-mandated parental orientation program and attend mediation through Family Court Services (FCS). San Francisco’s FCS mediation is confidential. If parents don’t reach an agreement, the mediator doesn’t report a recommendation to the judge. This differs from many other California counties, where the mediator’s views are submitted to the court and can carry significant weight.

San Francisco judges expect parenting plans to be detailed, particularly around holidays, school breaks, and summer schedules. Vague agreements tend to generate future disputes. We prepare clients for each stage of this process, from parental orientation through FCS mediation and, when mediation doesn’t produce a workable agreement, through contested hearings.

Enforcing & Modifying a Visitation Order

A signed order doesn’t always end the conflict. When one parent consistently refuses or interferes with the other’s court-ordered parenting time, the affected parent has legal options. One available remedy is a contempt of court filing, which asks the court to hold the non-complying parent accountable for violating the order.

Circumstances also change. A parent’s work schedule may shift significantly, a proposed relocation may affect the existing arrangement, or new concerns about a child’s safety may arise under the current order. California courts can consider modifying the visitation schedule when circumstances warrant it, with the goal of serving the child’s current best interests. Courts don’t modify schedules to reward or punish either parent. We handle both enforcement actions and modification petitions as part of our post-order practice.

Why San Francisco Parents Work With Our Firm

Attorney Lorie Nachlis holds credentials that reflect decades of recognized work in family law. In addition to her California Board of Legal Specialization certification, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer every year from 2004 through 2026 and was inducted into the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists Hall of Fame in 2024. These aren’t biographical details. They reflect the depth of knowledge she brings to negotiations, mediation sessions, and courtroom arguments on behalf of our clients.

Our approach starts with negotiation and mediation because reaching a durable agreement outside of court can serve everyone better, especially children. When that path isn’t available or doesn’t produce an acceptable outcome, we litigate. We also work with outside professionals, including child therapists, when their perspective supports strategy or strengthens a client’s position in court. Family law is the only area we practice, and that focus shows in how we handle visitation matters from the first call through resolution.

Schedule a Consultation About Your Visitation Matter

Whether you’re establishing a parenting time schedule for the first time, dealing with a co-parent who won’t follow an existing order, or facing circumstances that justify a modification, we can help you understand your options and your rights. We serve parents in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area, including Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, and Santa Clara counties.

Contact Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP or call (415) 855-9344 to schedule a consultation with our visitation attorneys today.