A Judge’s Guide

RECURRING ISSUES
VISITATION ORDERS
SPECIFIC SCHEDULE REASONABLE VISITATION
Created based on the needs of the Boilerplate language that allows parties
particular child but considers parents’ to determine specific visitation
scheduling needs as well. routines.
Benefits Benefits
• Reflects complexity of parenting • More flexible than a fixed schedule.
needs. • Works better if parents cooperate.
• Reduces need for contact and
agreement between parents.
• Relatively easy to enforce.
• Provides notice to parents of
guidelines about the
arrangement.
Disadvantages Disadvantages
• Inflexible or less flexible (although • Requires good communication
can include provision for between parents.
modification). • Disagreements frequently arise.
• Difficult to create(without court order) • Does not provide a mechanism
if parents are unwilling to cooperate. to solve disagreements.
• More dangerous in cases of domestic
violence.
SUPERVISED VISITATION DENIAL OF VISITATION
Contact between noncustodial parent Complete denial of contact between
and child which takes place under the child and the noncustodial parent.
the supervision of a neutral third
party observer.
Benefits Limitations
• Allows parent-child relationship • Should not be ordered unless the
to continue. situation indicates that any level
• Promotes safety of the child and of contact between the parent and
custodial parent. child would be detrimental to the
child’s interests or well-being or
would seriously jeopardize another
family member.
Disadvantages Factors to Consider
• Not every jurisdiction has organized • History of visitation.
supervised visitation programs. • Attitude of noncustodial parent
• May be difficult to find a neutral toward the child.
third party to provide adequate • Interest in child and his/her activities.
supervision. • Relationship between the parents.
• Existence of the problem
substantiating claimed unfitness.
• Specific instances of conduct.
• Corroboration of incidents indicating
unfitness.
• Domestic violence.
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