Supervised visitation may be ordered by a court where the non-custodial parent:
" has a drug or alcohol abuse problem;
" has had trouble controlling anger;
" may have been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with the child;
" engaged in child abuse, neglect or abandonment;
" engaged in domestic violence;
" has a mental illness;
" has a substance abuse problem; and/or
" as a criminal history.
The above list is not exhaustive, but gives examples of situations where a court might order supervised visitation.
Supervised visitation often takes place in a neutral location under the supervision of paid staff. An adult other than the custodial parent must be present at all times during the visit. The adult may be known or unknown to the child, and may be someone agreed upon by the parents or appointed by the court. In any case, the adult must be approved by the court ordering the supervised visitation.
This form is a generic example that may be referred to when preparing such a form for your particular state. It is for illustrative purposes only. Local laws should be consulted to determine any specific requirements for such a form in a particular jurisdiction.
Massachusetts Motion for Supervised Visitation: A Comprehensive Overview In Massachusetts family law cases where concerns regarding child safety, well-being, or the relationship between a child and a parent arise, a Motion for Supervised Visitation may be utilized. This legal motion seeks to request court-ordered supervision during visitation time to ensure the child's welfare and best interests are protected in potentially high-risk situations. A Motion for Supervised Visitation in Massachusetts can be filed by either party involved in a custody or visitation dispute, including the custodial parent, non-custodial parent, or even by the child. It aims to present evidence and reasoning to support the need for supervised visitation and place temporary restrictions on unsupervised parent-child interactions. Key circumstances where a Motion for Supervised Visitation may be appropriate to include instances of substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect allegations, mental health concerns, parental alienation, or other factors that can potentially endanger the child's physical or emotional well-being when left alone with a parent. Types of Massachusetts Motions for Supervised Visitation: 1. Temporary Motion for Supervised Visitation: This type of motion is filed to seek immediate temporary supervision during visitation until a final custody determination is made. It can be used when there is an urgent concern for the child's safety or well-being. 2. Permanently Supervised Visitation Motion: In certain cases, where the concerns regarding the non-custodial parent's ability to provide safe unsupervised visitation persist or are deemed long-term, a motion for permanent supervised visitation may be filed. This motion seeks ongoing supervision until further modification or termination is requested. 3. Modification Motion for Supervised Visitation: If a court has already issued a custody order, a modification motion for supervised visitation can be filed by either parent to request a change in the visitation terms. This could include a motion to increase, decrease, or even terminate the level of supervision previously ordered. 4. Termination Motion for Supervised Visitation: In some situations, an initially ordered supervised visitation may no longer be necessary or in the best interests of the child. A motion to terminate supervised visitation can be filed to eliminate supervision requirements if a parent demonstrates significant improvement or can prove that the previously existing concerns no longer pose a risk to the child. When filing a Motion for Supervised Visitation in Massachusetts, it is crucial to provide detailed evidence, testimony, and documentation supporting the need for supervision. The court will consider various factors such as the child's age, the quality of the parent-child relationship, the risks involved, and the ability of the parent to provide a safe environment when making a final determination. In conclusion, a Motion for Supervised Visitation in Massachusetts is a legal tool used to seek court-ordered supervision during visitation when concerns for a child's safety or well-being exist. Temporary, permanent, modification, and termination are the different types of motions that can be filed depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
