New Jersey Supervised Visitation Lawyer
Rules defining parental visitation make up a major component of a child custody agreement. The court will take parental behavior into account when approving a parenting schedule, and some cases may warrant additional restrictions on the time a parent can spend with their child.
If one party believes that the actions of the other parent could place their child in danger if entrusted to their care, they may be able to request supervised visits. If you are facing this situation, a New Jersey supervised visitation lawyer could explain how a third party could be a stabilizing influence during a parent’s scheduled visits and help you reach a set of rules that you are comfortable with.
Definition Under State Law
Supervised visitation occurs when an individual who has been awarded parenting time by a child custody agreement is not permitted to be left alone with their child. In these cases, another person is required to accompany them during their parental visit to ensure that the child is safe and that the parent is acting appropriately. This form of parenting time differs from typical visitation, as usually there is no requirement that there be an additional person during visits, and the parent is free to exercise time with their child as they see fit.
In most cases, there is not a specified requirement for supervised visitation, but it can be requested if one parent has a compelling reason to fear for the child’s safety if they are left alone with their other parent. A skilled supervised visitation attorney could help a New Jersey parent pursue this request.
Reasons for Supervised Visitation
There are many reasons why someone may request that the court order supervised visitation, such as if one of the child’s parents has a proven substance abuse issue. Other circumstances to warrant supervision during parenting time would be if one parent has been neglectful, inattentive, or has displayed poor judgement, to the degree that the other parent has reason to fear for the child’s safety. Supervision could also be implemented if there is proof of one parent’s inappropriate emotional behavior, depending on the severity of the situation.
Disadvantages of Supervised Visitation
In many custody cases, supervised visitation is absolutely necessary. However, this measure can send a message to the child that one of their parents is incapable of being alone with them, and that knowledge can have a significant impact on their mental state.
Additionally, it can often be difficult to find a supervisor who is flexible with the visitation schedule that the parents want, or the county may only allow for one hour a week. The need for supervision can drastically limit the parenting time and the activities that the parent can do with the child, so the custodial parent may not want to impose those limits unless absolutely necessary. Any families considering a supervised visitation schedule should work with a New Jersey family lawyer to ensure this option suits their best interests.
Who Can Be a Supervisor?
The identity of the supervisor will depend on the specific circumstances of the case. Sometimes, the judge will appoint the supervisor, or it can be determined through the county. In other cases, the parties will agree on a family member or friend to supervise. In any case, it should be someone with whom both parties feel comfortable, and an experienced New Jersey lawyer could help the parents pick a supervisor who could effectively ease any tension during visitation sessions.
Reach Out to a New Jersey Supervised Visitation Attorney for Help
If you want to request a supervisor for your child’s visits with their other parent, you should enlist qualified legal representation as soon as possible. A New Jersey supervised visitation lawyer could investigate your family’s situation to build your case and help you achieve an outcome that preserves the best interests of your child. Call today to schedule a consultation.
