What Is Supervised Visitation?
Every parent has the right to spend time with their children, but sometimes it’s believed that one parent cannot safely spend time with their kids alone. In situations like these, a court can order supervised visitation. If you are a parent on either side of this debate, you should have our Chatham custody & parenting time attorneys advising you on how to assert your rights as a parent.
When Can Supervised Visitation Be Ordered?
Supervised visitation is usually ordered in one of these two situations:
The parent cannot be trusted alone with their children: In cases like these, one parent has asked the court to order supervised visitation because they believe that their children would not be safe unsupervised with the other parent. This is often due to issues like drug abuse, psychiatric problems, or a history of child abuse. A parent who made mistakes in the past still has a right to see their children, but the wellbeing of those children needs to be top priority. So supervised visitation is a fair compromise.
The parent has a physical disability: If a parent cannot handle all aspects of childcare due to a physical disability, supervised visitation could allow them to spend time with their children in a safe environment where they have some backup.
Keep in mind that supervised visitation will not be ordered just because you and your former spouse have some disagreements about parenting style. There needs to be a legitimate reason why one parent should not be alone with their kids for visitation sessions.
Who Can Monitor Supervised Visitation Sessions?
You can get a neutral third party, like a social worker, to supervise visitation sessions. A close friend or family member can also supervise, but they must put the welfare of the child first. If they are biased in favor of one parent or another and they let that interfere with their supervision, then that is not good for the visiting parent or the child.
What is the Goal of Supervised Visitation?
Parents have the right to see their children and build their relationship with them, even after a divorce and even after they have made mistakes in their life. These visitation sessions ensure that a parent can spend time with their children and that the children stay safe. Eventually, the parent may even be able to petition the court for unsupervised visitation.
What Happens If a Parent Does Not Show Up For Visitation?
In some cases, the non-custodial parent does not show up for their visitation time. If they continue to ignore the opportunity that supervised visitation offers them, then their rights could be terminated.
Talk to Our Legal Team
If you are struggling to settle some of the major issues of your divorce, then it may be time to bring in a seasoned family lawyer who can help you advocate for yourself and your children. Contact Lazor Rantas, PC and schedule a consultation with our team today.
