At Ellis Family Law, our lawyers help families in Cary establish, enforce, and modify child visitation arrangements that reflect the child’s best interests while honoring the role each caregiver plays in their life. Spending time with your child is not just important, it’s essential. Whether you are a custodial or non-custodial parent, preserving that relationship matters.
Visitation is more than a schedule. It’s about consistency, trust, and the opportunity to stay actively involved in your child’s growth and wellbeing. We help you build visitation plans that are clear, enforceable, and aligned with your family’s reality.
Child visitation refers to the parenting time granted to a parent who does not have primary physical custody. Visitation is often part of a broader custody agreement and is designed to ensure that both parents remain actively involved in the child’s life.
Types of visitation may include:
At Ellis Family Law in North Carolina, we work with you to develop and enforce visitation plans that reflect the realities of your life and your child’s needs.
Most often, visitation is granted to the parent who does not have primary physical custody. Courts generally believe that a child benefits from maintaining strong relationships with both parents—unless there is evidence of harm or risk.
Under certain conditions, North Carolina law allows grandparents to request visitation, especially if they’ve had a significant relationship with the child and the parents are actively involved in a custody dispute with the court.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to request visitation, our attorneys can assess your situation and provide clear, honest guidance.
A well-structured parenting time plan helps reduce future conflict and ensures consistency for your child. We help parents negotiate and formalize visitation agreements that address:
Our Raleigh child visitation lawyers tailor every visitation plan to the realities of your family, not a generic template.
Not all parents agree on what’s best. When disputes arise, we help our clients:
We have extensive experience handling contested child visitation cases in Wake County and understand how to balance legal strategy with sensitivity.
As children grow and circumstances change, your original visitation plan may no longer work. You can request a modification if there’s been a substantial change in circumstances, such as:
We assist with both initiating and defending against modification requests, always focused on the child’s best interests.
When one parent refuses to follow the visitation schedule by denying visits, canceling without cause, or interfering with communication, you have legal options. Our attorneys can help you:
If you’re being unfairly accused of violating a visitation order, we can help you defend your actions with evidence and advocacy.
When parents live in different cities or states, maintaining regular, meaningful contact requires creative planning. We help long-distance parents:
We believe children deserve connection, even across distance—and we help parents create plans that support that bond.
Child visitation isn’t just about time—it’s about communication, flexibility, and mutual respect. We assist with:
When parents can’t get along, we help the child stay centered and the legal structure stay intact.
Our board-certified specialists lead every case with strategy, care, and a commitment to your best outcome.
Kathleen Murphy recently took on a very difficult and deceitful case dealing with narcissism. She was very reliable, attentive, kind, thorough, knowledgeable and very encouraging to the victims of abuse....
Kathleen Murphy recently took on a very difficult and deceitful case dealing with narcissism. She was very reliable, attentive, kind, thorough, knowledgeable and very encouraging to the victims of abuse. Kathleen continues to help throughout this very difficult process ensuring safety and the well being of her clients. Highly recommend.
Learning to trust an attorney that you’re just beginning to work with is really difficult. The anxiety I felt along this journey was supported by Kathleen, but what she did...
Learning to trust an attorney that you’re just beginning to work with is really difficult. The anxiety I felt along this journey was supported by Kathleen, but what she did in court this afternoon was beyond. I didn’t know what I didn’t know; but she did. She blew opposing counsel away. She knows her stuff and she knows what’s needed. Her staff went above and beyond for me also, and I’m so grateful
Wow! I’m actually excited about moving forward on my divorce now! I was terrified, now I’m not in the least bit. So excited to have Kathleen Murphy in my corner.
...Wow! I’m actually excited about moving forward on my divorce now! I was terrified, now I’m not in the least bit. So excited to have Kathleen Murphy in my corner.
Kathleen Murphy is simply the best. If you’re looking for someone who protects your best interests along with creating a clear, concise and strategic game plan. Look no further!
...Kathleen Murphy is simply the best. If you’re looking for someone who protects your best interests along with creating a clear, concise and strategic game plan. Look no further!
Ellis Family Law is always there for your family legal needs. I can personally recommend Kathleen Murphy, she is excellent.
...Ellis Family Law is always there for your family legal needs. I can personally recommend Kathleen Murphy, she is excellent.
From day one, Kathleen made me feel supported and heard. She is comforting, pays close attention to every detail, and responds quickly. I continue to fully trust her to protect...
From day one, Kathleen made me feel supported and heard. She is comforting, pays close attention to every detail, and responds quickly. I continue to fully trust her to protect both my best interests and my son’s. I am beyond thankful for Kathleen.
Your relationship with your child is too important to leave to chance. Whether you’re working on an initial visitation schedule, seeking to modify an existing plan, or facing conflict with your co-parent, we’re here to help you move forward with a strategy that works.
Because parenting time isn’t optional; it’s essential.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
