Shreveport Visitation Attorney

Protecting Your Time With Your Child

When you are worried about how often you will see your child, you are not just thinking about calendars. You are thinking about birthdays, school nights, and ordinary afternoons that you do not want to miss. As a child visitation attorney, Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law helps parents in this part of Louisiana put clear, workable plans in place.

Parents come to us when they are separating, when a current schedule is breaking down, or when the other parent is limiting visits. Many feel overwhelmed and are unsure what Louisiana law expects of them. We understand that stress, and we work to bring clarity and calm to a very emotional situation.

Our firm is based in Shreveport, and founding attorney Ryan E. Gatti has lived and worked in Shreveport and Bossier City his entire life. We focus on family law and are committed to listening, explaining the process in plain language, and guiding families through visitation issues with care.

Contact our firm today to get started.

What is Visitation?

Visitation, also referred to as parenting time, is the legal right of a noncustodial parent—or sometimes other family members—to spend time with a child. Visitation rights are established by the family court and are intended to ensure that a child maintains a meaningful relationship with both parents, even after a separation or divorce.

In Louisiana, visitation arrangements are designed with the child’s best interests in mind. Courts consider factors such as the child’s age, school schedule, health, and the relationship between the child and each parent when determining visitation schedules.

Visitation is a critical aspect of family law because it not only affects the parent-child relationship but can also influence custody arrangements and child support decisions.

Common Types of Visitation Arrangements

Visitation schedules can vary depending on the family’s circumstances, the child’s needs, and court decisions. Some common types of visitation arrangements include:

Regular or Standard Visitation

This is a routine schedule that outlines specific days and times a noncustodial parent can spend with the child, such as every other weekend and certain weekdays.

Extended Visitation

Extended visitation occurs when a parent has longer or more frequent periods with the child, often during school breaks, holidays, or summer vacation.

Supervised Visitation

In cases where the court has concerns about the child’s safety, visitation may be supervised by a neutral third party. This ensures the child’s well-being while still allowing parental contact.

Virtual Visitation

With technology, courts may allow virtual visitation, such as video calls, especially when geographic distance or other circumstances make in-person visits challenging.

Holiday and Special Occasion Visitation

Parents may have alternating holidays, birthdays, or special occasions to ensure the child can celebrate important events with both parents.

Each visitation arrangement can be customized to suit the family’s unique needs. Our Shreveport visitation lawyer can help you negotiate or advocate for the schedule that works best for you and your child.

How to Obtain Visitation Rights in Family Court

Establishing visitation rights in Louisiana involves several legal steps. Here’s what you can expect:

• Filing a Petition: To obtain visitation rights, you must file a petition in the family court of the parish where your child resides. This petition should outline your requested visitation schedule and any relevant circumstances supporting your request.
• Mediation: Louisiana courts often encourage mediation to help parents reach an agreement on visitation without the need for a trial. Mediation can be a less adversarial and more cost-effective option.
• Court Hearing: If mediation is unsuccessful, the court will hold a hearing to determine visitation. During the hearing, both parents may present evidence and testimony. The judge considers the child’s best interests and may issue a detailed visitation schedule.
• Enforcement and Modification: Once visitation is established, it is legally enforceable. If a parent fails to comply, the other parent can request enforcement through the court. Additionally, visitation schedules can be modified if circumstances change, such as a parent moving, changes in the child’s needs, or other significant life events.

Having an experienced Shreveport visitation attorney ensures that your petition is properly prepared, your rights are protected, and your case is presented effectively in court.

Visitation FAQs

Q: Can grandparents seek visitation rights?

A: Yes. Louisiana law allows grandparents to petition for visitation under certain circumstances, especially if the child’s relationship with them is deemed beneficial.

Q: What if the other parent denies visitation?

A: If a parent refuses court-ordered visitation, you can file a motion to enforce the order. Courts take violations seriously, and remedies may include make-up visitation or, in some cases, contempt sanctions.

Q: How does the court decide visitation schedules?

A: The court considers the child’s best interests, including emotional and physical well-being, parental relationships, school schedule, and any special needs.

Q: Can visitation be modified?

A: Yes. If circumstances change significantly—such as a parent relocating, changes in work schedules, or the child’s needs—the court may modify visitation.

Q: Do I need a lawyer to establish visitation?

A: While not legally required, having a Shreveport visitation lawyer increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome, helps avoid procedural mistakes, and ensures your parental rights are fully protected.

Why Parents Choose Our Firm

Visitation is about much more than weekends and holidays. It is about protecting your relationship with your child and giving them stability as your family changes. Parents choose our firm because we keep that reality at the center of every decision. We take time to understand your child’s needs, your work schedule, and your goals.

When you work with our team, you can expect clear communication. We sit down with you, listen first, and answer your questions in everyday terms instead of legal jargon. Our goal is to make sure you understand your options, whether you are facing a new visitation case or a dispute over an existing order that may be heard in Caddo Parish.

Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law is deeply rooted in the community. Because Ryan Gatti has spent his entire life in Shreveport and Bossier City, we understand how local families live, what matters to them, and how courts in this region tend to approach family law issues. Our team also includes lawyers with prosecutorial backgrounds, which means we are comfortable in the courtroom when visitation disagreements cannot be resolved informally.

We know that many parents are anxious about going to court and about the impact conflict can have on their children. We work to ease that burden, to focus on practical solutions, and to provide the kind of thoughtful advocacy that helps families move forward with greater peace of mind.

To talk with our team about your visitation concerns, call (318) 633-0186.