The family courts in Arizona deal with a host of legal issues – including child visitation. Often, when parents are divorced or no longer together, one parent will have physical custody of their child, while the other has visitation rights.
Supervised visitation is one option that the courts have. This means that visits with a parent take place in a safe environment with a supervisor always present. When might supervised visitation be used in Arizona?
When parent and child are estranged
There are numerous reasons why a parent may become estranged from their child. For example, the parent may not have known that the child was biologically theirs until years after the birth. In such instances, the court may encourage the parent to build a bond gradually with the child by using supervised visitation. Often, supervised visitation is used as a temporary measure in these circumstances to allow the child and parent to adjust to big changes at their own pace.
If a parent is ill
Supervised visitation is frequently ordered in situations where one parent has fallen ill. This allows the parent to maintain a bond with their child without taking on more than they can handle.
The best interests of the child
Decisions related to custody and visitation are always taken based on the best interests of the child. There are numerous reasons why the court may opt to utilize supervised visitation. The best interests of the child and the safety of the child will always take precedence.
If you have questions about your parental rights or custody arrangement, it may be beneficial to seek further legal guidance.