While, in many child-related cases, the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time distribution between parents will be shared and potentially straightforward, there are cases in which things can become highly complex. These cases typically involve matters like domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, addiction, or other habits or behaviors that may place children at risk. Learn what to do if you are facing such a situation.
Understanding the Importance of Parenting Time and Parent Involvement
Most children from two-parent households have grown up spending time with and loving each of their parents. This love is independent of the marriage itself, and to sever that bond without cause can be damaging to a child. Some may lash out. Others may suffer from poor self-esteem. Still, others may resent one or both parents for the grief and loss they experienced during divorce.
Regular and encouraged, healthy visitation can often help smooth out any possible maladjustments a child may experience after divorce. Of course, not every situation is safe or in the child’s best interests. In these cases, there should be protections in place. However, it is important to recognize that there are often still ways to carry out a healthy parent-child relationship while still keeping the child safe. In most cases, such arrangements are optimal for cutting a parent completely out of a child’s life.
Restrictions on Visitation
In cases where one parent may potentially bring harm to a child, a judge may impose restrictions on that parent’s visitation rights. They may be required to have only supervised visits at their home or an approved person’s home. In some cases, visits may even be conducted at a safe location that offers supervised visitation and safe parenting exchange options. Whatever the courts decide, the other parent must still honor parenting time, just as they would with a typical parenting plan.
Petition for Removal
Parents typically move to separate homes after the divorce, but some desire to move out of town or to another state to be closer to a support system, pursue a new job, or seek more affordable housing. Whatever the reason, the risk to the non-moving parent is the same: there may be difficulty in keeping regular and consistent visitations. Some are able to come up with a plan or compromise, but for others, this just is not an option. If this is problematic, then the non-moving parent should contest the removal with help from their family law attorney.
Contact Our Naperville Family Law Attorneys
If you are planning on filing for divorce and have a unique child-related matter, contact Sullivan Taylor, Gumina & Palmer, P.C. Our knowledgeable Naperville family law attorneys will aggressively protect your family’s best interests. We will seek the most favorable outcome possible. Schedule your consultation by calling 630-665-7676 today.
Sources:
https://www.illinois.gov/dcfs/safekids/protecting/Pages/dom_violence.aspx
