Law Office of John S. Weaver

          One of the most difficult issues a parent faces is dealing with temporary or long-term parenting concerns that impact a child's safety and well-being. John Weaver has extensive experience addressing the sensitive issues involving fashioning appropriate restrictions and conditions on access to protect the best interests of minor children. Although the right of visitation is an important natural and legal right, and courts generally hold that access to both parents benefits children, visitation rights must yield to the child's welfare. Although the complete denial of visitation to a parent is rare, sometimes it is necessary for courts to set certain restrictions and limitations on custody and visitation in order to assure the safety and welfare of minor children. These restrictions seek to address such issues as:

          ·  spouse abuse
          ·  child abuse 
          ·  alcohol abuse and substance abuse
          ·  harmful exposure to the other parent's paramour or significant other
          ·  no smoking due to a child's asthma
          ·  mental health counseling and medication compliance
          ·  anger management
          ·  parent skills education
          ·  safe child transfer or transition between parents
          ·  advance notice of relocation
          ·  proper use of an infant or child car seat
          ·  interference with visitation and appropriate make-up visitation

          Sometimes courts find it necessary to order supervised visitation, including through court-related supervised visitation programs. Custody and Visitation Restrictions contains a more detailed discussion of many of the various restrictions.