In cases where there are concerns as to whether or not a non-custodial parent will properly care for a child during scheduled visitation, a judge may order supervised visitation. Generally, this is not meant to last for an indefinite period. Instead, a judge will typically order supervised visitation for a specified period of time, during which the supervised parent has the opportunity to fix or improve the situation that resulted in this arrangement. However, if it does not get rectified, supervised visitation will continue.
More About Supervised Visitation
If supervised visitation is ordered, there are a number of rules the parent will have to comply with. In addition to the visits being supervised, they must take place in a certain location and last for a specified amount of time. It is an arrangement that is often uncomfortable for those involved, but necessary to help maintain the parent-child bond in a way that does not pose a risk to the child.
A judge may order supervised visitation for the following reasons:
- Reintroduce the parent to a child after being absent for a long period of time
- Introduce the parent to a child for the first time
- There is a history of child abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, or substance abuse
- The non-custodial parent has a mental illness
- There is a threat of abduction
- Give the non-custodial parent the opportunity to address a specific issue
If you believe you have changed your situation and wish to alter the timeline of your supervised visits, you can petition the court with this request. However, you cannot change it yourself or violate the order. If you violate a supervised visitation order, it can result in contempt of court problems or even the loss of custody rights.
Discuss the Details of Your Case with One of Our Experienced Family Law Attorneys!
If you are dealing with a supervised visitation case, the skilled family law team at Fait & DiLima, LLP can provide the compassionate advice and knowledgeable guidance you need to smoothly navigate it. With more than 50 years of combined experience on our side, you can rest assured you will receive the best possible outcome for your case.
Reach out to our law firm today at (301) 251-0100 to request an initial consultation with one of our attorneys to get started on your child custody case and learn more about what we can do to assist you during this difficult time.
