Ideally, separated parents will both be able to play an active role in the upbringing of their children. Nonetheless, family dynamics can be complex, particularly when parents have separated.
The family court is more than aware of this, which is why there are numerous options in terms of custody arrangements. One possibility is supervised visitation, which means that visits with the parent happen in a controlled environment where a responsible adult can take over if things become too much.
There are a number of reasons why supervised visitation might be beneficial for your child. Outlined below are a few things to consider.
Are parent and child new to one another?
It’s not uncommon for a parent to be unaware that they had a child until a few years down the line. In such cases, it can be overwhelming for both parent and child to jump into a full-time custodial arrangement. The family court may consider it better for the child to have supervised visits. This means that both parent and child can take things at their own pace.
Is one parent ill?
If a parent comes down with an illness, then much of their focus is going to be on recovery. They may not be physically or mentally able to have unsupervised visits, but they are still entitled to see their child. Supervised visitation can be utilized as a means of maintaining the parent-child bond whilst the parent recuperates and regains their strength.
The main focus of all custody decisions is the best interests of the child. If you have questions about your rights as a parent, contact our Lafayette child custody lawyers today it will benefit you to seek some legal guidance.