If you and your co-parent live separately, arrangements regarding your children are probably foremost in your mind. Disputes often arise regarding child custody, parenting time, and child support.
If you are trying to secure visitation with a child, prevent another parent from access, or enforce an existing arrangement, a Boston visitation lawyer can help. A local custody attorney could skillfully advocate for the result you and your child need.
Parental Visitation Agreements
Visitation is the term courts use when a parent has restricted parenting time. Time with grandparents is also called visitation.
Massachusetts General Laws c.208 §31A allows for supervised visitation in some cases. A parent could request supervised visitation if they are afraid the other parent will not return a child as agreed. A court also might order supervised visitation if a visiting parent has a(n):
- History of child abuse or neglect
- Active substance misuse issue
- Demonstrably poor parenting skills
- Order of protection against them regarding the other parent but not a child
A supervisor should be someone both parents and a child feel comfortable with. It could be a responsible friend or relative, or the parents could use a facility that provides supervisors and a safe site for visitation. A lawyer in Boston with experience in custody issues could help a parent seek, enforce, or contest a visitation plan that protects the safety of a child.
Challenging a Supervised Visitation Order
Supervised visitation is often temporary. If a parent corrects the condition that caused a court to order supervision, a court might allow the parent to have unsupervised visitation. Usually, a parent will start with brief periods of unsupervised time with a child, leading to significant parenting time if all goes well.
If a parent believes they have demonstrated the ability to parent their child safely, they could request that the court lift a supervision order. The other parent could contest the request if they are uncomfortable allowing unsupervised access. However, a contesting parent must demonstrate why the other parent requires continuing supervision.
A court will consider the best interest of a child when determining whether continuing supervision is appropriate. A seasoned attorney in Boston could provide persuasive arguments that a parent’s preference regarding supervised visitation serves a child’s best interest.
Modifying Visitation Plans
Parents often develop a visitation agreement if one parent maintains sole physical custody and the other parent has reasonable unsupervised parenting time. It might set forth a schedule of visits, transportation of a child to and from visits, ground rules the parents must follow while the child is present, and other relevant issues.
If parents have good communication, a parenting plan developed together is usually the most effective. If they cannot negotiate a plan together, a Boston lawyer can work with the other parent or their attorney to devise a workable visitation agreement. Processes like mediation or conciliation also could produce an arrangement acceptable to all parties.
A child’s needs will change as they grow, and a plan must adapt to reflect the current situation. If parents need to modify an agreement, they can attempt to do so themselves or with a mediator. One parent could also seek modification with the courts.
Work With a Boston Visitation Attorney to Resolve Issues
Visitation creates difficult emotions for many parents. If you believe a child is unsafe with their other parent, you might oppose them having any contact with a child. On the other hand, sometimes, a parent denies access to a child when the other parent is capable of safe and supportive visits.
If you need support getting an appropriate order, a Boston visitation lawyer could help. Call today to discuss your legal options.
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