Divorce can be tough, particularly when children are involved. There will likely be numerous significant changes, including who the child lives with. Generally, the court prefers both parents to be involved in the upbringing of their children. Both parents will likely retain some custody rights.
However, there are occasions when the court may insist that visitation with a parent is supervised. When might this happen?
Potential risks for the child
The court may insist that supervised visitation takes place if there are any security risks for the child. For example, if the court believes that there is a risk of one parent leaving the state with the child without permission.
Supervised visitation may also be ordered if there is any history of domestic violence from one parent. Supervised visitation allows the parent to retain visitation rights but in a controlled environment.
It’s important to note that there doesn’t have to be any wrongdoing from a parent for supervised visitation to be ordered. Sometimes, a parent may have a physical or mental health issue that makes it difficult for them to care for the child on their own. It’s important that a parent in this situation still maintains a bond with the child, and supervised visitation provides a safe environment for this to happen.
Usually, supervised visitation is temporary but this is at the discretion of the court. Decisions will always be taken with the best interests of the child in mind. Seeking further legal guidance will give you a better idea of what supervised visitation entails and when it may be necessary.
