Children benefit from meaningful relationships with both parents. Judges do their best to preserve parent and child relationships to the maximum extent possible while prioritizing the children’s need for safety.
A court in Southbury may order supervised visitation in cases where a parent’s ability to care for children is questioned. One of our firm’s experienced custody and visitation attorneys can explain how supervised visitation would work in a specific case.
Courts bar parents from contacting their children only in extreme circumstances. Connecticut judges typically order supervised visitation when there are concerns about the children’s safety in the parent’s presence.
Judges in Southbury have the authority to impose supervised visitation when evaluating all the relevant information, which leads them to conclude that supervision is in the children’s best interests.
These orders are most common when a parent:
Evidence of any conduct that might be physically or emotionally harmful to the children could form the basis of a supervised visitation order.
Parents who seek to limit their co-parent’s contact with the children should work with a family law attorney. A legal professional can compile evidence, including reports from the children’s therapists, the parents’ criminal history, and other relevant information, demonstrating that the co-parent poses a risk to the children’s well-being.
Supervised visitation allows parents to spend time with their children, but only when another responsible adult is present. Supervision is usually provided by a social worker or other professional. In some cases, a Connecticut judge may allow an adult family member, family friend, or another person the children know to supervise. An attorney in Southbury can advocate for supervised visitation by someone the children are comfortable with.
Supervised parenting time usually does not occur in the parent’s home. Instead, visitation may take place in a public park, restaurant, or recreational facility. Alternatively, parents and children may spend time together at a family visitation center.
The supervisor observes the interaction with the parent and children. If the parent appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, becomes emotionally dysregulated, or behaves inappropriately, the supervisor has the authority to end the visit. Judges expect the supervisor or supervising agency to provide regular reports on the parent’s interaction with the children and their response to their parent.
In most cases, a supervised visitation order can be modified. The parent subject to the supervision order must demonstrate that they can provide a safe and appropriate environment for their children and that they have addressed and overcome the issue that led the court to impose supervised parenting time.
Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56(i) allows a court to order parents to engage in counseling, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, mental health treatment, or other relevant services. Judges often issue these orders in conjunction with supervised visitation orders.
When a parent has engaged with services and made progress, they may petition the court to modify the order requiring supervised visitation. A Southbury lawyer can help a parent prepare a petition to lift the supervised visitation requirement and argue for them to have more time with their children.
Judges order supervised visitation in Southbury when they have concerns about a parent’s ability to provide a safe environment for their children.
Our family lawyers can help you decide whether you want restrictions on your co-parent’s time with the children or if you are subject to a supervised visitation order. Get in touch with us today to learn more about Connecticut’s supervised visitation policies.
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