Guide
California supervised visitation — what it is, who orders it, and how the day runs.
A plain-English walkthrough for California families facing a court order, a DCFS referral, or a reunification plan. What supervised visitation actually is, when a court might order it, what a credentialed monitor does on the day, and what families can expect from ToGether Time.
Section 01
What supervised visitation is — and when courts order it.
A short, plain-English explainer for families holding a copy of an order that says something like “visits to be supervised”.
Supervised visitation is a court-ordered arrangement in which a parent's time with their child takes place in the presence of a neutral third party. The purpose is simple: give the child a calm, focused visit while keeping clear, documented boundaries for everyone in the room.
A California court may order visits to be supervised when a parent's contact with the child needs to be observed, documented, or limited. In practice, families arrive at supervised visitation through one of four doors.
A DCFS or county referral
A social worker or county caseworker asks that visits be supervised while an investigation or reunification plan is open.
A custody or access dispute
A family-law judge names a monitor in the order, usually because one parent is asking for documented, neutral observation of the other parent's time with the child.
A reunification condition
Supervised visits are written into the reunification steps a parent is working through, with a documented path toward less-supervised contact over time.
Allegations pending investigation
The court is choosing supervision, not separation, while more serious concerns are looked into. A neutral monitor keeps the visit going safely on the way to a clearer answer.
The order usually names a monitor (a professional you hire directly) or directs the county to provide one (a free, county-contracted program). Families who want flexible hours, a private trauma-informed room, or a specific monitor's rapport with their child often reach for the private option.
Section 02
What the monitor does on the day.
A monitor is a neutral third party. They are present from arrival to departure — observing quietly, de-escalating if needed, and writing a clear, factual visit summary afterward. Here's how that shows up in the room.
Rule 301-type compliance
Every monitor meets state Rule 301-type compliance — background-checked, credentialed, and trauma-informed.
Written for the case file
A clear, factual visit summary you can hand to an attorney or caseworker without rewriting — paired with monitor credentials on request.
Quietly present, never counselling
A neutral third party who observes quietly, de-escalates if needed, and never counsels, mediates, or takes sides.
What to bring — and what to leave in the car.
Bring a copy of the court order if you have one — the monitor keeps it on file so the visit summary matches what the court expects. Bring a photo ID for each adult. Snacks and a change of clothes for a young child are welcome.
Leave gifts, food meant for the other parent, and phones away from the room — toys, books, and a small private play space are already in it. The room belongs to the child, and phones in hands keep the visit from being present.
Section 03
What families can expect from ToGether Time.
Plain numbers, a clear intake, and no surprises on the day. Full pricing lives on /pricing.
Per-visit pricing
Reservation itself is free. You pay for the visit, on the day. The standard lengths cover most court orders.
- 1 hour$150
- 2 hours$275
- 3 hours$395
Custom hourly rates apply for longer or unusual windows — see /pricing for the full structure.
Cancellation policy
Cancel with at least 24 hours notice and no charge is issued — the slot is simply released. Same-day cancellations are billed at half the visit price to cover the monitor's reserved time. Reschedules are free whenever a future opening is available.
Intake
Send us a copy of the order and the requesting attorney or caseworker's contact. We return monitor credentials, intake documentation, and a basic visit summary within one business day. If your order names specific reporting requirements (frequency, format, attachments), tell us at intake so the first summary already matches.
Ready when you are
Hold a slot in two clicks — pay on the day of service.
Browse open weekday and weekend times, pick the length that fits the moment, and we'll email a confirmation within one business day. No charge today — pay day of service, online or in person.