Manhattan Beach Supervised Visitation Lawyer

What Every Parent Should Know About Supervised Visitation

Supervised visitation is a court-ordered mandate that allows the noncustodial parent to visit their child under the supervision of a neutral third party. This form of visitation ensures the child’s safety by mitigating the circumstances under which parents and children spend time together.

At Rombro & Manley LLP, we put the needs of your children first and fight for their best interests. For over 40 years, our attorneys in Manhattan Beach, California, has represented clients in child custody cases and can help your family reach a resolution.

What Is Supervised Visitation?

In some child custody cases, a judge may deem it necessary for a parent to have supervised visitation. The purpose of this type of visitation is to ensure each parent has access to their children in a safe environment. While the custodial parent will have primary custody, the noncustodial parent will have the right to visit their child under the supervision of another adult.

Noncustodial parent visitation may take place at home, in a public place or at some other court-designated location. Parents may be able to establish a parenting plan and agree on a monitor, including the days and times of visitation. Should parents be unable to agree, the court will specify details regarding these visitation sessions.

Who May Supervise?

There are two types of visitation monitors: nonprofessional and professional. A nonprofessional is generally a family member or friend who is not being paid to supervise. Nonprofessional must be impartial and avoid any conflict of interest. They should also make every reasonable effort to keep the children and parents safe during visitation.

Professional providers, on the other hand, are well-trained in supervising techniques and charge for their services. When selecting a professional provider, it is important to ask about their level of experience as well as their program conditions and guidelines. Whether you choose a professional or nonprofessional provider, the individual must meet certain qualifications.

Common Reasons For Supervised Visitation

There are many reasons why supervised visitation may be needed. A parent may request supervised visitation if the other parent has:

• A history of alcohol or drug abuse, or alcohol- or drug-related convictions
• Threatened to abduct the child
• Been involved in a domestic violence situation
• A history of emotional abuse
• A diagnosis of mental incapacity or illness
• A pattern of inappropriate sexual conduct or abuse
• Been incarcerated or is currently in jail

Children over the age of 14 may also be permitted to express their desire for supervised visitation. The court can then determine whether or not supervised visitation is in the best interests of the child. Should circumstances change, the order of supervised visitation may be revisited by the court.

Let Us Assist You

If you are involved in a custody case or are interested in learning more about supervised visitation, contact the team at Rombro & Manley LLP. We are uniquely qualified to handle child custody matters, with over 40 years in practice. To schedule an initial consultation with an experienced lawyer, contact us online or call us at 310-545-1900.