Visitation can be essential to maintaining relationships between parents and their children during life after divorce. An appropriate arrangement can also benefit the child, helping them feel reassured and allowing them to flourish. However, some parents might be unable to provide adequate care, with certain circumstances posing risks in specific scenarios.
The court can adjust the visitation details in these situations, requiring supervision during sessions. A judge may have various considerations before issuing supervised visitation, including the following:
- Any safety risks, including possibilities of violence, abuse or abduction
- The severity of threats and whether a supervisor can mitigate them
- Case developments that can determine if supervision is necessary
- The child’s behavior and feelings toward the parent
- Other factors affecting the child’s security
- Continuing assessment to measure the visitation arrangement’s effectiveness
If a judge orders supervision, a qualified worker will closely monitor and observe the visits, drafting feedback in reports for documentation. Using these details, the court can check if the parent-child relationship is making progress, allowing the removal of supervision if considered safe at some point. Still, it can happen from case to case because it can significantly depend on the child, the parent, and their relationship.
Determining the most appropriate visitation setup
Some parents can discuss custody and visitation arrangements out of court, which can be beneficial and practical. But sometimes, too much can be at risk, especially if the child has no established relationship with the non-custodial parent. Forcing them to interact with the parent without guidance can be harmful based on the circumstances. In these instances, it can be helpful to seek legal counsel and have the court decide the most appropriate setup, considering the child’s best interests.