During a divorce, some things inevitably change between parents and their children. The relationship itself is not always affected, but custody arrangements can strain some parent-child interactions. Custody schedules are created based on the child’s best interests. In many cases, both parents will have similar amounts of time with their child to try to preserve a sense of normalcy. For parents with more complicated relationships, supervised visits may be required of the non-custodial parent. 

When Is Supervised Visitation Appropriate?

In Texas, supervised visitation is required in situations where a parent poses a threat to the child. Any form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from that parent warrants supervised visits. This can include abuse the parent inflicted on the child or on the other parent. Parents with substance abuse problems or uncontrollable mental illnesses can also endanger the child. Those parents who have neglected their child or who have been absent from the child's life may also be required to have supervised visitation.

A contested adoption typically occurs when one birth parent wishes to place a child up for adoption while the other parent refuses to allow it. Often, contested adoption happens when the birth father does not want the child to be adopted. The mother may make the decision to give her child up for adoption, but the father may not agree with that decision. This normally occurs between young, unmarried couples who may not have the means necessary to care for a child on their own. Contested adoptions can often be frustrating for everyone involved, and all parties will likely want to have legal representation.

Common Reasons For a Contested Adoption

Contested adoptions are not uncommon, as putting a child up for adoption is a difficult life decision to make. Fathers may object for a variety of reasons. The father may not have known that the mother was pregnant, or he may not have known whether the child was his. Because mothers know about the child first, they have more time to make up their minds about adoption, whereas some fathers do not find out about their child until they take a paternity test. Fathers or mothers may also change their minds at the last minute, especially when they get to physically see their child after he or she is born.

What Happens During a Contested Adoption?

Both biological parents will typically have parental rights, including the right to be involved in their child's life. In addition, they will also have the obligation to provide financial support for the child. When a child is adopted, the birth parents' parental rights are terminated, and either parent may object to giving up those rights. In these cases, the decision about whether to grant the adoption must be decided in court.