Can I Request My Spouse’s Parenting Time be Supervised for My Child’s Safety?

March 17th, 2025 by Tiffany Hughes

Navigating the complexities of child custody, visitation rights, and parenting time arrangements during a highly contested custody battle can be emotionally and legally challenging, especially when concerns arise about a child’s safety and well-being. In Illinois, parents who have genuine concerns about the safety of their child during the non-custodial parent’s unsupervised parenting time have legal avenues to request supervised parenting time with the Court. Understanding the process and knowing your rights can be crucial in ensuring the best interests of your child are protected.

What is Supervised Parenting Time?

Supervised parenting time, also known as supervised visitation, involves the presence of a neutral third-party during interactions between a parent and child. Supervised parenting time arrangements are often ordered by the court when there are concerns about a child’s safety or well-being while in the care of a parent. Supervised parenting time provides an added layer of protection for the child while remaining in compliance with the parenting agreement and allowing the parent to maintain a relationship with the child under supervision.

Grounds for Requesting Supervised Parenting Time

In Illinois, the court considers the best interests of the child as the primary factors in determining parenting time arrangements. Grounds for requesting supervised parenting time with the Court may include:

   – Allegations of domestic violence or abuse by the other parent.

   – Concerns about substance abuse or neglect.

   – Issues related to parental mental health that may impact the child’s safety.

   – History of endangerment or inability to provide proper care.

It’s essential to provide evidence and documentation supporting your concerns when requesting supervised parenting time with the Court. This evidence may include text messages, video recordings (if obtained legally), or testimony of witnesses.

To request supervised parenting time with the Court in Illinois, you typically need to file a motion with the court outlining your reasons for seeking supervision. It’s advisable to work with an experienced family law attorney who can guide you through the legal proceedings and ensure your rights are protected and your child remains safe.

Court Evaluation and Decision

Once a motion for supervised parenting time is filed, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem to conduct an investigation regarding the best interests of the child to assess the circumstances, evaluate the child’s safety, and determine whether supervision is necessary. The Guardian ad Litem’s investigation may involve interviews, assessments, and evaluations by court-appointed professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, or custody evaluators.

Based on the findings of the Guardian ad Litem’s investigation and any court-appointed evaluations, and considering the best interests of the child, the court will decide the parenting time arrangements that serve the best interests of the child. The court may order supervised parenting time on a temporary or permanent basis, depending on the circumstances.

Monitoring and Compliance in Parenting Agreement

If the court orders a parent to have supervised parenting time, both parents are required to comply with the terms of the arrangement. The supervisor, often a professional or agency designated by the court, will oversee the visits and ensure the child’s safety during interactions with the non-custodial parent.

Additionally, the court may establish protocols for monitoring and assessing the ongoing safety and appropriateness of the supervised parenting time arrangement to ensure compliance in the parenting agreement.

Requesting supervised parenting time for your child’s safety in Illinois involves a legal process guided by the best interests of the child. By understanding your rights, providing evidence to support your concerns, and working with legal professionals, you can navigate the complexities of the family court system and take steps to protect your child’s safety and well-being. Remember, the goal of supervised parenting time is to promote a healthy parent-child relationship while prioritizing the safety and welfare of the child.

Need More Information or Representation?

If you are in a contested custody battle and are worried about the safety of your child, wanting to restrict your ex’s parenting time, or need the Court to appoint a Guardian ad Litem to investigate the best interests of your child, give The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. a call today at 773-893-0228 for a confidential, complimentary 30-minute phone consultation or email Tiffany Hughes directly at Tiffanyhughes@thugheslaw.com. Our entire practice is solely dedicated to the area of family law. We are highly experienced in providing legal representation to anyone engaging in a custody battle, asking to learn more about what supervised parenting time is, requesting supervised parenting time with the Court for their ex, wanting the Court to appoint a Guardian ad Litem to investigate the best interests of the child and child’s safety, seeking to modify your ex’s current child custody, visitation rights, or parenting time arrangements, or requesting the non-custodial parent’s compliance in parenting agreement for the child’s safety.

      About Tiffany M. Hughes, Divorce Attorney, Principal, Managing Partner, The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C.:

Tiffany M. Hughes is a divorce attorney and Managing Partner of The Law office of Tiffany M. Hughes. Recognized as a Top 100 Lawyer in Lawyers Magazine in 2018 and 2019, Super Lawyer from 2016 to date, and in addition to numerous other accolades, Ms. Hughes represents individuals in all aspects of family and matrimonial law proceedings, including litigation, mediation, allocation of parental responsibility (formerly known as custody), parentage, divorce and other child-related matters.

—

This blog is made available by The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of Illinois law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this website you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in Illinois.  The law changes constantly and we do not go back in time to edit old posts that may be affected by these changes.  If you have any questions about Illinois law, which is the only State this blog and website discusses, please call The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for a complimentary phone consultation and do not draw any legal conclusions without speaking to a competent attorney in Illinois first.