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December 15, 2019

How to End Supervised Visitation

Children at supervised visit
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Posted by: GDS Law Group, LLP

If you’ve been granted supervised visitation with your child, you are probably anxious to end the supervision and get back to regular parenting. Supervised visitation can be hard to schedule (since it has to be at the convenience of the supervisor) and frustrating since it can be hard to connect with your child in a limited time and with someone else present.

The GDS Law Group is ready to help you end supervised visitation. Our skilled lawyers are experienced in Indiana family court and will help you adjust your visitation so you can have quality, personal time with your child. Call our office now at 765-313-7092 or fill out our online contact form to make your appointment.

What Is Supervised Visitation?

Supervised visitation is designated time for a parent to spend with their child. The visit must take place with a supervisor, an adult who can be present throughout the visit to ensure the child is safe. A supervisor is often a family member or friend, but can also be a visitation center that handles supervised visits. Supervised visits are usually short in length and do not take place at the parent’s own home.

Why is Supervised Visitation Ordered?

Supervised visitation is ordered by a court when there is some concern that the non-custodial parent may not be able to act appropriately in front of or properly care for the child. Common reasons for supervised visitation include addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, abuse or neglect, a past history of inappropriate behavior around the child, or instances in which the child was exposed to inappropriate care or situations.

Use Your Existing Visits

Most parents who are given supervised visitation want nothing more than to get past it and be allowed to have regular visitation with their child. It is possible to get supervised visitation changed. The first step is to make the most of your existing visits, so do the following:

  • Use all of your current visitation time, no matter how inconvenient it may be;
  • Be on time for every visitation;
  • Treat the supervisor with respect and civility, even if it is someone you don’t like;
  • Use the time to interact with your child. Play games, read books, tell stories, be silly, and talk;
  • Take some photos during your visits or ask the supervisor to take some for you (these can be used as evidence);
  • Never come to a supervised visit under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
  • Always wear clean and appropriate clothes to your visits; and
  • Do not spend time on your phone during the visits.

Making the most of your existing visitation will show the court your child is important to you and that you have a relationship with them.

Do What is Required of You

Supervised visits are often accompanied by a court requirement that you follow through on some other requirements. These could include:

  • Seeking alcohol or drug addiction treatment
  • Attending therapy for yourself or with your child
  • Attending parenting classes or co-parenting classes
  • Living in a safe, stable environment that is suitable for a child

In addition to these requirements, it’s also smart to do the following:

  • Avoid any confrontations with the other parent
  • Avoid arrests or interaction with law enforcement
  • Be employed
  • Pay your child support if ordered

Getting the Order Changed

To get your supervised visitation changed to regular visitation, you’ll need to be able to show the court there has been a change in circumstances since the order was issued. Completing all of the court-ordered requirements and making positive changes in your life generally are considered a change in circumstances.

Your attorney will file a petition to modify your custody and visitation order and ask that the court set up a regular schedule of visitation for you and your child. Talk with your attorney about how often you would like to have visitation. If the other parent does not agree with your request, you will have a hearing and your attorney will present evidence to convince the judge you deserve regular visitation.

Because the stakes are high for you in a supervised visitation case, it’s important to work with a law firm that has had past successes with these kinds of cases. The Indiana lawyers at the GDS Law Group are ready to help you get the visitation you deserve. Make an appointment now by calling 765-313-7092 or fill out our online contact form .

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