This is the next post in our series on the handling of Little Rock, Arkansas child custody cases which involve supervised visitation. Our last article discussed what parents should expect at supervised visitation sessions. It is important for parents to understand that such visits are about spending quality time with the child. It is not appropriate to demean the other parent or to discuss the litigation in front of one’s son or daughter. If you believe that the terms of supervision are not being followed then it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. In this article we will discuss another important topic – how a parent can win back unsupervised time with the child after their visitation has been ordered supervised. If you require assistance then contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.
When a Family Court Judge orders supervised visitation, they do not typically intend for the situation to be truly permanent. While the situation may be meant to last in more extreme cases, such as those involving sexual abuse, the Court will typically only require supervision until the situation which caused concern has been corrected. This means, as an example, that a parent who has been supervised due to drug use may be able to gain unsupervised time with their child once they demonstrate to the Court that they are drug free.
When the Judge puts an order of supervision in place, then he or she will also typically impose requirements which the offending parent must meet. These requirements will, again, be based on the reason for which visitation was supervised in the first place. If the supervision was due to drug use then the Court may require regular drug tests. If the supervision was due to unsanitary living conditions then the Court may require that the offending parent maintain suitable housing for a set period of time. A series of “status checks” will typically be held. These are hearings at which the Court will wish to hear as to whether or not the offending parent is making progress. When the Court is satisfied that supervision is no longer required, then conventional visitation will typically be restored.
If you are a parent who is attempting to gain unsupervised time with your child then it is important that you have an attorney to assist you with the process. It is vital that the Court be presented with all relevant evidence of your progress. Counsel can assist you with doing so. Our Little Rock child custody lawyers strive to provide the highest level of service to all of our clients and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. We also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of the state.