During divorce, the parents often need to discuss issues concerning their child, such as visitation arrangements. It can be essential because an appropriate visitation schedule may help the child maintain a healthy relationship with the non-custodial parent. However, there are scenarios when there are risks to the child’s welfare, warranting the court to require supervision during sessions.
Sometimes, a family has unique circumstances that may call for a third party to be present during visitation. A court may consider it necessary based on the situation, including the following factors:
- Allegations of child neglect or abuse
- Mental health conditions
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Suspicions of parent alienation
- Any incidents or facts that make it reasonable to believe the non-custodial parent might flee with the child
Additionally, the court can consider other case details when deciding if supervised visitation is necessary. It can significantly hinge on whether the arrangement prioritizes the child’s best interests.
Often, the supervisor for this type of visitation is a social worker or child development professional. They can have varying tasks during the sessions, such as monitoring parent-child interactions or guiding the visit as needed.
Until when is supervision required?
There are no exact standards for determining until when the arrangement requires a supervisor. A third party is usually necessary unless the parent and child resolve the issue they had, warranting supervision. Still, it can depend on the progress of visitations, documented through the supervisor’s notes. The court can decide whether supervision should continue based on the feedback.
If the non-custodial parent wants to change any details about the arrangement, they can file a petition for a modification. In any case, the court remains the final decision maker regarding visitation concerns, allowing them to make a fair and reasonable setup that considers the child’s needs.
