diff --git a/config/laratrust.php b/config/laratrust.php
index 552a76ae..a1e04605 100644
--- a/config/laratrust.php
+++ b/config/laratrust.php
@@ -226,6 +226,23 @@
                     'content' => '',
                 ],
             ],
+
+            /**
+             * Defines a custom JSON response format for unauthorized access.
+             * This can be used when a JSON response is preferred over a redirect or abort.
+             *
+             * - 'code': The HTTP status code to return (default: 403).
+             * - 'include_timestamp': Whether to include a timestamp in the response (true/false).
+             * - 'structure': Defines the JSON response format.
+             */
+            'json' => [
+                'code' => 403,
+                'include_timestamp' => true,
+                'structure' => [
+                    'status' => 'error',
+                    'message' => 'User does not have the necessary access rights to perform this action.',
+                ],
+            ],
         ],
     ],
 
diff --git a/src/Middleware/LaratrustMiddleware.php b/src/Middleware/LaratrustMiddleware.php
index 3354b5cf..fdb59a60 100644
--- a/src/Middleware/LaratrustMiddleware.php
+++ b/src/Middleware/LaratrustMiddleware.php
@@ -49,6 +49,16 @@ protected function unauthorized(): mixed
             return App::abort($handler['code'], $handler['message'] ?? $defaultMessage);
         }
 
+        if ($handling == 'json') {
+            $responseData = $handler['structure'] ?? [];
+
+            if (! empty($handler['include_timestamp']) && boolval($handler['include_timestamp'])) {
+                $responseData['timestamp'] = now()->toISOString();
+            }
+
+            return response()->json($responseData, $handler['code'] ?? 403);
+        }
+
         $redirect = Redirect::to($handler['url']);
         if (! empty($handler['message']['content'])) {
             $redirect->with($handler['message']['key'], $handler['message']['content']);