The family courts in Ohio have numerous options in terms of child custody orders. Ideally, both parents agree on a schedule, and as long as it is in the best interests of the child, the court will approve it. However, things aren’t always that simple.
In some cases, supervised visitation is necessary. This means that all child visits with their non-custodial parent must be supervised by a responsible adult. When might supervised visitation be necessary?
Concerns about safety
A court may order supervised visitation if a parent has a history of domestic violence, abuse or neglect. This ensures the child is not exposed to harm again. A risk of harm is not always malicious. A parent may have had issues with substance abuse and is trying their best to get help. In such situations, the courts will often order temporary supervised visitation until the parent shows that they can look after the child without it.
Risk of abduction
When a custody order has been set, parents are typically not permitted to just leave the state or country without approval. This is especially the case when a parent has ties with another country.
If there are concerns about abduction, the non-custodial parent may only have supervised visits.
Family estrangement
Sometimes, supervised visitation is used to get the parent and child used to one another. A parent and child may not be aware of their biological relationship until the child is a few years old. Generally, in these situations, the court likes to make the transition gradual for the child, and supervised visits facilitate this.
To protect your rights during a custody case, it is wise to seek legal guidance.