Supervised Visitation: What To Know About This Order
Visitation provides non-custodial parents with a chance to spend time with their children after a separation or divorce. However, the right to visitation could be in jeopardy. Supervised visitation may be necessary for some situations. Read on and find out more.
Supervised Visitation Orders
Supervised visitation begins with one parent complaining about the other parent's behavior. A request to make a change in visitation must be accompanied by proof of poor parental behavior. The judge will evaluate the evidence and make a ruling about visitation. Supervised visitation allows parental visits as an alternative to denying them altogether.
What Causes Supervised Visitation Orders?
Bad parenting takes many forms and might mean any of the following and more:
- Criminal activity
- Substance abuse
- Physical or mental abuse of the child
- The improper discipline of the child
- Not feeding, educating, or seeing to medical care for the child
Following the Rules
Supervised visitation means that a third-party adult must be present while the parent is with the child. It also usually means no overnight visits. The visitation may take place in a public place, like a park or a restaurant. The third party may be a relative, a friend, or a social worker. They cannot be the other parent, however. Visiting under these circumstances can be challenging for both the parent and the child, unfortunately.
Overturning Supervised Visitation
Many instances of supervised visitation are temporary. However, serious acts of violence against a child may result in permanent supervised visitation. If you are the subject of a visitation restriction and you believe it is unjust, you can refute the allegations brought against you. Speak to a divorce lawyer for help in filing the papers for a modification of visitation.
If you agree with the judge's reasoning and feel fit to parent, gather evidence showing that you have changed your ways. Identify the reason for the order and tackle the issue using positive moves. If you have addiction issues, for instance, go to rehab and offer to submit to random drug testing. Take parenting classes or agree to undergo an evaluation by a child study professional.
Family court judges are bound by an allegiance to the child and nothing else. Don't expect sympathy from the judge because you miss spending time alone with your child. Consider your appeal in terms of what is best for the child. The judge will only be moved if you can show that you can enhance your child's life rather than make it worse.
To find out more about dealing with supervised visitation, speak to a family law attorney.
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