This is the first post in a series which will deal with the issue of supervised child visitation. Many parents are unsure of when the court will order supervised visits, how such visits will be conducted, or what their rights are in such a situation. The goal of the coming articles is to provide parents with information which will allow them to better understand their circumstances and to also provide information which will assist them in selecting a child custody attorney. If you require assistance then contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.

We will be addressing multiple topics over the coming articles. Issues which will be analyzed include:

• Situations in which the court will order supervised visitation
• What to expect at one’s supervised visits
• Why a parent should not resort to “self-help” in dangerous situations
• How a parent can win back unsupervised visits

There are a number of reasons why parents should understand these issues. First, a court will not take the subject of supervision lightly. While the court’s main concern will always be the best interests of the child, a Judge will also require a meaningful showing of evidence before ordering supervised visits. Second, knowing what to expect from the process will help ensure that things go smoothly and that the child is not traumatized any more than is necessary. Third, many parents make the mistake of taking matters into their own hands, rather than going to court, when they believe their child is in danger. This may actually hurt the situation rather than helping it. Finally, knowing the steps necessary for gaining unsupervised visits is the first step in reaching that goal.

One point I cannot stress enough is that you should contact a child custody attorney as soon as possible if you believe that visitation should be supervised. Again, a court’s main concern is the best interests of the child. This means that the judge will take any issues, which impacts a child’s safety, very seriously. By consulting with counsel you can gain a better understanding of your situation as well as insight as to how you should proceed. We regularly assist parents with such situations. Contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.