This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on requiring supervised child visitation in Melbourne and other Florida areas. I considered this an important topic to address as, for obvious reasons, many people are unsure of what to do if they believe their son or daughter is in danger. Some make the mistake of going as far as taking matters into their own hands. Rather than engaging in self-help, it is important to retain an attorney. The goal of my articles has been to provide information which will assist with the selection of counsel. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
I addressed multiple topics over my recent articles. Issues which I discussed include:
- Requiring supervised visitation due to parental drug use
- Supervised visitation when a parent engages in criminal activity
- Requiring supervised visitation due to your ex’s new significant other
I addressed these topics for multiple reasons. First, if a parent’s drug use leaves them in a state where they cannot adequately care for the child then the Court is likely to require supervised visitation. If a parent tests positive for hard drugs (such as methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) then the Court is likely to impose supervised visitation regardless of any claims that the use is occasional. If a parent is using medical marijuana, or legally prescribed medications, then the Court will likely consider the specifics of the situation. Second, when a parent is engaging in criminal activity, a Judge is likely to have little patience. For obvious reasons, such conduct can pose a risk to the child’s safety. Finally, it is common for parents to believe that their ex’s new significant other should not be around the children. The fact of the matter is that the Court will not impose supervised visitation unless the individual poses some type of threat to the child.
One point I made in each of these articles is that it is important to contact law enforcement immediately if you believe that your son or daughter is in legitimate danger. It is also important to contact an attorney as soon as possible so that you may make an immediate request to change child custody. The longer you wait to initiate legal proceedings then the more likely it is that the Court will not consider the matter to be an emergency. I am a Melbourne child custody lawyer who understands the importance of such situations and my office will give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to speaking with you. I also service clients in the Brevard County cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid.