Who pays for supervised visitation?

In most cases the court order decides who pays for supervised visitation. Often it's the parent whose time is supervised, but judges can split the cost, base it on income, or put it on the parent whose conduct made supervision necessary. If the order doesn't say, the parents need to agree, and the provider will usually ask for payment before or at each visit.

What court orders commonly say

The supervised parent pays. Common when supervision is for that parent's benefit, such as rebuilding a relationship after a long absence.
The parents split the cost, often equally or by income share.
The parent who caused the need for supervision pays. Common in domestic violence cases.
A specific program is named, which may be free or income based.

Read the order closely. Maricopa County's parenting time forms in Arizona, for example, let the judge assign supervision costs to one parent or split them. Yavapai County's petition lets costs fall on either parent or be split equally.

State laws that put costs on a parent

Many states let courts order a parent who committed domestic or family violence to pay for supervision:

Arizona: A.R.S. § 25-403.03 lets the court order the parent who committed domestic violence to pay the costs of supervised parenting time.
Georgia: courts may make the perpetrator of family violence pay supervised visitation costs.
Maine: the abusive parent may be ordered to pay the costs of supervised contact.
North Carolina: in domestic violence orders, the court may make the noncustodial parent pay for supervised visitation.
Wisconsin: courts may make the abusive party pay the costs of supervised placement.
Louisiana: when supervision is required because of family violence, the parent who committed the violence pays.
Alabama: courts may order a fee covering the cost of supervision in family violence cases.

Other states weigh cost directly. Utah's law requires courts to consider whether the cost of professional supervision would keep a parent from exercising parent time at all.

Free and income based programs

Every state receives a federal Access and Visitation grant, and many courts and nonprofits run free or reduced cost programs. Examples:

California: Orange County Superior Court offers free professional supervised visits to eligible low income noncustodial parents through its Access to Visitation program.
Florida: Miami-Dade's Family Court Services unit provides free supervised visits and monitored exchanges when a judge refers the case. Parents must contact the unit within five working days of the referral order.
Delaware: state supported Family Visitation Centers in all three counties charge fees based on family income.
Texas: Harris County's Domestic Relations Office runs a Visitation Center with group supervised visits on set Saturday mornings, and the Attorney General's Access and Visitation program lists providers statewide.
New Mexico: court run programs charge on a sliding scale approved by the state supreme court.
Colorado: the state's Access and Visitation grant can cover the full cost of supervised visitation for referred parents.
New York: grant funded nonprofit programs in several counties offer supervised visitation.

Free programs often have waitlists, eligibility rules and limited hours. If you need to start quickly, need a specific schedule, or want visits somewhere other than a center, a private provider may be the better fit. Ask your court's self help center what's available near you.

What private providers usually charge for

Each provider sets its own rates. Common charges include an intake fee, an hourly rate with a minimum, exchange fees, report fees and a cancellation policy. Ask for the full cost of a typical visit, including reports, before you book, and ask how a split order is handled.

If you can't afford supervision

Tell the court. Judges can consider cost, name a lay supervisor if the order and your state allow it, or refer you to a free program. Don't skip ordered visits because of cost without going back to the court; missed visits are usually noted.

Questions to ask a provider about cost

What is the total cost of a typical visit, including any minimum?
Is there an intake fee, and does each parent pay one?
Are notes included, and what does a full report cost?
What's your cancellation policy, and does it apply the same way to both parents?
Do you charge for travel, and where does your service area end?
How do you handle a court order that splits the cost?
Do you offer a lower rate for weekly visits over several months?

Asking up front avoids surprises, and a provider who answers clearly is usually one who runs visits clearly too.

Paying the provider

Most providers need payment before each visit or at booking. If the order splits costs, some providers bill each parent their share, and others ask one parent to pay and settle up separately. Get the arrangement in writing.

On MyVisitLink

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Sources

This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and court rules change and differ by state and county. Confirm what applies to you with the court or a licensed attorney in your state.