Focusing On Family Law – And You
In California, a court may order supervised visitation if it decides that a parent’s time with a child needs monitoring. This decision usually comes from concerns about the child’s safety or well-being.
The goal of supervised visitation is to allow the child and parent to maintain a relationship in a safe and controlled setting.
Why courts order supervised visitation
Courts in California may require supervised visits for several reasons. These may include a history of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse or mental health issues. In some cases, the court may order supervision when the parent and child have not spent much time together. The supervision helps reintroduce the parent into the child’s life in a gradual and safe way.
How supervised visitation works
During supervised visitation, another adult stays present while the parent and child spend time together. This adult may be a trusted family member, a professional monitor or a person from a court-approved agency. The monitor’s job is to ensure the visit goes smoothly and that the child remains safe. The visits may take place at a home, park or visitation center, depending on the situation and the court’s order.
Rules and structure of the visits
The court sets the terms for supervised visitation. This includes how often the visits happen, how long they last. The monitor must follow strict guidelines. They must observe the interactions closely and report any problems to the court if needed. Both parents must follow the rules exactly. If either parent does not follow the rules, the court may change the custody order.
Changing supervised visitation to unsupervised
Supervised visitation following a divorce may not last forever. If the monitored parent makes positive changes and shows that the child will stay safe, the court may allow unsupervised visits. This usually requires proof of progress, such as completing a parenting class or addressing any substance abuse issues.
