Understanding The Role Of Supervised Visitation

In this article, you can discover:

• What supervised visitation is.
• Under what conditions supervised visitation is granted by a Maryland court.
• Cases where supervised visitation may be opted for by a court.

What Does Supervised Visitation Mean In Maryland?

Supervised visitation is when a third party is present during a visit with a parent. Supervised visits provide a level of protection and peace of mind for both the child and the custodial parent, ensuring that everyone remains safe and comfortable during this time.

Many people ask for supervised visitation when they have concerns about what may occur during their child’s time with the other parent. This is especially true when the parent has been estranged for a long time from the child or if the child does not know the other parent well. Supervision is also requested in cases where there are allegations of abuse, neglect, drug, or alcohol use by the non-custodial parent.

Courts usually order this type of visitation when there is evidence that the parent may not be able to keep the child safe on their own. So, if someone has a very young child along with some of the concerns listed above, they may want the court to require supervised visits. This is because young children are not able to tell adults if something bad happens to them.

For example, if a toddler is at their father’s house and then comes back to their mother’s house, the child may not be able to articulate what happened at their father’s house if something bad occurred or they may simply not know if they were in a dangerous situation. The mother may notice changes in the child’s behavior, or physical indications of a problem but the child may not be able to communicate what happened. In these situations, it is often best to have supervised visitation so that the child can be protected.

When Do Maryland Courts Grant Supervised Visitation?

The court is unlikely to grant supervised visitation if the parent requesting it doesn’t have a good reason. This is because supervised visitation is a big deal – it’s basically saying that the parent can’t be alone with their own child. What’s more, once supervised visitation is in place, it can be difficult for the supervised parent to get that order changed.

As such, a court is more likely to order supervised visitation if there is evidence that the child would not be safe or properly cared for by the other parent. This could be due to drug or alcohol problems, particularly if the parent has not been in treatment or recovery for a long time. However, if there is only a brief history of drug and alcohol abuse, supervised visitation may still be appropriate.

Additionally, if there are substantiated allegations of abuse or neglect against one parent in a CPS case, then supervised visitation may be ordered. Or, supervised visitation can be ordered when a parent has been separated from their child for an extended period of time simply to allow for the child to get to know the parent again and to make sure they are comfortable in restarting the relationship.

What Is The Process Of Supervised Visitation In Maryland?

Supervised visitation can take different forms. In some cases, a third party May supervise the visits at the parent’s home or another location. This third party is typically chosen by the court and may be a grandparent, adult sibling, friend, or family member. The court may take into consideration any recommendation of the parties or agreement between the parties about who the supervisor should be.

Supervised visitation can also take place at a visitation center. In Maryland, each county has different facilities that the courts can refer people to. A visitation center is simply a place where the parent and child can sit in a room together for a one or two-hour session with a staff member present. This environment is very constrained, and the visit is typically quite brief. If visitation takes place at a center, then the supervisor will typically prepare a report of their observations and provide that to the court.

With the guidance of a skilled attorney for Custody Cases, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have someone on your side.

For more information on Custody Cases in Maryland, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (443) 300-2335 today.