Hour 0–4: Read the order. Slowly. Twice.
Before you call anyone, sit down with a printed copy of the order and read it twice. Highlight the specifics:
- Who is supervised — yours visits, the other parent's visits, or both
- What kind of supervision — full supervised visitation, monitored exchange only, or therapeutic
- How often — frequency of visits (weekly, biweekly, etc.)
- How long — duration of each visit
- Where — does the order specify a location type? a specific provider?
- Restrictions — topics that can't be discussed, items that can't be brought, people who can't be present
- Who pays — the order usually specifies financial responsibility
- How long the order is in effect — temporary or final, and any review or step-down language
Take notes. Highlight things you don't understand. You'll bring those notes to your attorney (or your intake call) so you're not trying to recall details from memory.
Hour 4–8: Call your attorney (if you have one)
If you're represented, your attorney should already know the order is coming, but call them anyway. Ask:
- Does the order specify a provider, or do you have provider choice?
- Are there any deadlines for starting supervision?
- Should you wait for the other parent to set it up, or initiate yourself?
- Who pays the intake fee — and do they need to coordinate with the other side first?
If you're not represented, that's okay. Many parents in Arizona handle supervised visitation cases pro se. The intake coordinator at your chosen provider can walk you through the process.
Hour 8–24: Choose a provider and call
If the order doesn't name a specific supervised visitation provider, you have choice. Look for these things in any Arizona provider:
- Arizona DPS Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card for every supervisor
- Flat, transparent pricing — if you can't get an all-in number on the phone, that's a red flag
- Same-day intake response during business hours
- Court-formatted reports — ask for a redacted sample
- Experience with the Maricopa County Superior Court Family Division (or Pima County, if you're in Tucson)
- No mileage charges, no surprise add-ons
Pinnacle charges $150 for the one-time intake and $65/hour for sessions — flat, with no monthly fees and no mileage. We meet all the above standards. Call 480.540.0665 for same-day intake response.
Hour 24–36: Complete intake
Your Pinnacle intake call takes 20–30 minutes. The coordinator will:
- Review your court order line by line
- Confirm any specific conditions, restrictions, or location requirements
- Collect the $150 intake fee
- Assign a Level 1-cleared supervisor to your case
- Discuss possible meet-up venues and confirm scheduling preferences
- Schedule the first visit (standard is within 7 days; expedited intake is available if you need faster)
Hour 36–48: Prepare yourself, prepare your child
Whether you're the parent who hosts the visit or the parent who attends it, the next 24 hours before the first session is for preparation — not anxiety.
If you're the parent attending the visit:
- Re-read the court order's restrictions one more time
- Plan a few simple activities for the child (a book, a small toy, a craft, a game)
- Don't plan emotional conversations, big gifts, or grand reunions — keep the first visit calm
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early; bring photo ID
If you're the parent hosting the visit:
- Tell the child what's happening, briefly and matter-of-factly.
- Don't coach, don't warn, don't over-explain
- Let the child bring a comfort item if they want
- Plan a low-key activity for after — not a debrief, just decompression time
What happens at the visit
Your Pinnacle supervisor will arrive at the agreed location early. They'll confirm your identity, briefly review the court order's conditions, and coordinate the arrival of the child. They'll stay visually and audibly present for the entire visit, taking timestamped notes the whole time. They'll step in if any condition of the order is violated. At the end, they'll handle the handoff back to the custodial parent.
Within 24 hours, you'll have a written report. The report goes wherever your court order says — your attorney, the BIA, directly to the court, or just to you.
What NOT to do in your first 48 hours
- Don't discuss the case with the child. Not before the visit, not at the visit, not after.
- Don't try to record the visit yourself. The supervisor's report is the official record.
- Don't bring anyone the order doesn't allow. Not new partners, not family members, not friends.
- Don't promise the child something the court hasn't approved. "I'll see you every weekend" can backfire badly if the court doesn't grant that.
- Don't engage with the other parent at the visit unless the order specifically requires it.
Common questions
What if I can't afford the $150 intake fee right away?
Call us anyway. We've worked with families on payment timing before. The intake fee is a one-time charge, and we'd rather find a way to move your case forward than have you stuck.
Can I start the case while my attorney is on vacation or unavailable?
Yes — you can initiate intake at any time. We'll loop your attorney in as soon as they're back. We don't gate intake on attorney availability.
What if the other parent refuses to participate?
Refusing to comply with a court order is contempt of court. If the other parent is the one who needs to engage and they refuse, that's typically resolved by filing a motion with the court — not by waiting indefinitely. Talk to your attorney.
How fast can the first visit actually happen?
Standard scheduling is within 7 days of completing intake. We offer an expedited intake package for families with urgent needs — ask your coordinator on the intake call.