Can Supervised Parenting Time Be Changed to Unsupervised?

 Posted on December 13, 2024 in Parenting Time

Illinois parenting time is, by definition, unsupervised. That is, the parent with parenting time is not required to have another adult present. Parents have the right to exercise their parenting time in almost any way they choose, taking the child out for dinner, a movie, or an activity, or spending time with the child in their home. If supervised parenting time is ordered, it is usually the result of a serious issue that could potentially place the child at risk. Court-ordered supervised parenting time is a serious matter and can often benefit from an experienced Oswego, IL family law attorney.

When Could Supervised Parenting Time Be Ordered by an Illinois Court?

If there are concerns regarding a child’s physical, mental, or emotional health when spending time with one parent, the other parent may ask the court to order that the parenting time be supervised. The reasons a parent may ask for supervised parenting could relate to:

• Criminal activity on the part of the other parent
• A documented history of abuse toward the child by the other parent
• The other parent’s severe mental illness
• Addiction or substance abuse by the other parent
• The other parent is in a romantic relationship with a person who could harm the child.
•  One parent has a reasonable belief that the other could abduct the child.  

It should be noted that the presence of a criminal record may or may not be sufficient to result in supervised parenting time unless the criminal offense was a violent crime, a sexual offense, or an offense toward children. In the same way, mental illness is not, on its own, an automatic reason for supervised parenting time unless the mental illness is severe and unmanaged. A parent who asks for supervised parenting time for the other parent must have facts and documentation to back up such a request.

What Happens if Supervised Parenting Time is Ordered?

If one parent is ordered to have his or her parenting time supervised, there must be a chaperone with the parent and the child at all times. Supervised parenting time can occur at a designated center, a home, a park, or another location as long as the approved chaperone is present. In some cases, the approved chaperone will be a family member – perhaps a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or older sibling who is related to the parent requiring supervision.

Other times, the chaperone could be a social worker or other professional. Chaperones must never leave the parent and child alone and must interrupt any inappropriate conversation by the supervised parent. Supervised parenting time could be ordered once a week from one to three hours or less frequently, depending on the situation. Supervised overnights are rare but could occur toward the end of ordered supervision time.

How Long Does Supervised Parenting Time Usually Last?

While every situation is different, the judge in the case will order supervised parenting time for a specific length of time. During that time, a guardian ad litem may provide benchmarks that the supervised parent must meet to have restrictions on his or her parenting time removed. Removing these restrictions could take weeks, months, or even a year or more, depending on the reason for the supervision.

It could take time for the supervised parent to become compliant, although in some cases, supervised parenting time can last indefinitely. A supervised parent may be resentful of the restrictions, yet it is in his or her best interests to always be polite to the chaperone while working hard to meet the outlined conditions. Engaging in positive communication and cooperation with the other parent can also help get supervision orders removed.

Contact a Kendall County, IL Parenting Time Lawyer

If you feel strongly that your child’s other parent should have supervised parenting time or if you are the parent ordered to have supervised parenting time, you could benefit from speaking to a Yorkville, IL parenting time attorney. Attorney Williams focuses on mediation and collaborative divorce to reduce costs and make the process easier, and he also has experience with troubled youth. Contact The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. at 630-409-8184 to schedule an initial meeting.