Nonprofessional providers of supervised visitation

Nonprofessional providers

A nonprofessional provider is someone who does not have special training to supervise (monitor) one parent visiting with their child or monitor a child exchange. They are simply there to watch and listen to each visit. They are usually a friend or family member that both parents agree to having supervise the visit or exchange. They do not get paid.

A nonprofessional provider should:

Make safety their top priority during the visit or exchange
Speak the same language as the parents and child
Be neutral
Be comfortable following the judge’s order
Feel comfortable ending a visit, if needed

What should I do if I am a nonprofessional provider?

To qualify as a nonprofessional provider, you cannot have a record for child abuse, child molestation, or any crime against another person. You do not qualify if you have been on probation or parole in the last 10 years.

Read the judge’s orders
Make sure you read and understand what the judge has ordered.
Supervised visits

The order should tell you when and how long each visit should be. The order may include the location of each visit. If it doesn’t list a location, make sure the location is safe. Do not pick a location that is noisy or crowded.

Supervised exchanges

A supervised exchange is when the judge orders a neutral third person to be present for a child exchange. A child exchange is when one parent or guardian is dropping the children off to the other parent or guardian. Sometimes a judge will order another person to bring or receive the children, like a family member or friend.

The order should tell you when exchanges of the children will be. The order may include a location for the exchange. If it doesn’t list a location, make sure the location is safe and secure. Note that the police station and police station parking lots are not monitored.
Complete a court form

Fill out form FL-324(NP) and give it to the parent who has custody of the children. That parent should file the form with the court. There is no fee to file this form.
Learn more about your role

For more information, go to A Guide for Non-Professional Providers. The guide is also available in Spanish. You can also learn about your responsibilities in this free online training (90 minutes).

Nonprofessional providers of supervised visitation

Nonprofessional providers

Read the judge’s orders

Supervised visits

Supervised exchanges

Complete a court form

Learn more about your role