As a parent, your top priority is the well-being of your children. This is something that the family court will also prioritize in custody cases.
Typically, the family court prefers both parents to be actively involved in the upbringing of the child. That said, there are rare instances when the court may impose supervised visitation. Essentially, this means that one parent can see their child, but only in a controlled environment with another responsible adult being present.
What are some of the more common reasons for supervised visitation?
Poor health of a parent or child
If one parent falls ill either physically or mentally, they’ll probably need some time to recover. The length of the recovery time will depend on the severity of the illness. In such circumstances, the court may rule that it is in the best interests of both the parent and child to undergo supervised visitation until the health issues have improved.
This applies not only when a parent has fallen ill. If a child becomes ill then supervised visitation can be a way to relieve some emotional stress.
When no previous parent-child bond existed
In some cases, a parent and child may be estranged from one another. The parent may not have been aware of their child’s existence until recently, and now they really want to get involved and build a relationship. This can be stressful, particularly for young children, and it can take time to adjust. Supervised visitation allows both parent and child to get to know each other in a safe environment and at a pace that suits the child.
If you are concerned that your parental rights are not being respected, it is in your best interests to seek some legal guidance. This can help ensure that you maintain a loving relationship with your child.
