It is generally considered in the best interests of children to allow them to maintain an active relationship with both parents after a Pasadena divorce. For this reason, courts are very reluctant to refuse a parent's request for visitation. Instead of refusing visitation, it is likely that supervised visitation will be required.
The purpose of supervised visitation is to allow a parent to maintain a relationship with his or her child in a safe environment. Supervised visitation is an option when there are concerns about the parent's ability to care for the child safely, but there is no evidence of criminal conduct. For example, a parent receiving treatment for mental illness or drug abuse might be required to have supervised visitation until it is determined that he or she could safely care for the child without another adult present.
Supervised visitation can involve using either a friend or family member as the supervisor, but this is often not recommended because a supervisor with a personal connection to the parent and child might not be effective at intervening if problems arise. The services of a social worker or other professional are more expensive, but this is typically thought of as the best way to guarantee a child's safety.
Supervised visitation occurs in many different types of families. "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Adrienne Maloof recently requested that her estranged husband Paul Nassif have supervised visitation with their three sons due to concerns about his temper. Maloof originally claimed that Nassif had abused the boys, but a court cleared him of those charges. However, there was enough of a reason to be concerned about the children that the court felt supervised visitation was in their best interest.
If you want additional information about whether or not supervised visitation is appropriate for your family, it is best to contact an experienced Pasadena family law lawyer. He or she can help you gather the evidence you will need to make a request for supervised visitation.