Visitation with grandparents, aunts, uncles, can they be supervised?

Additional Information:

My husband and will be getting divorced.  We are amicable and have decided together that the children will live with me in our home in Framingham, and see their dad every other weekend and Wednesday nights.  My first question is: will a divorce attorney help us figure out a visitation schedule for grandparents and aunts/uncles who will want to see the kids?  Second, can I request that these visits be supervised by me? I want to be around because I worry that they will say negative things about me to the kids.

ATTORNEY ANSWER:

The first question is whether it is even a good idea to discuss a visitation schedule for grandparents and aunts and uncles who want to see the kids.  If you are that concerned about the welfare of the children that you feel the need to have supervised visits, why legislate that into the Separation Agreement?  You may be granting more rights to the extended relatives and responsibilities to yourself that may be unnecessary and burdensome.  The solution to the problem may be to have your divorce attorney negotiate a more liberal parenting plan with your husband so that he and his family can spend more time with the children.

Supervised visitation will not be required by the Probate Court, except in situations where the children are or may be in danger.  Simply saying negative things about you would not rise to this level.  Having said that, all Separation Agreements have language that neither parent shall disparage the other when their children are present. 

Attorney David Rubin is a Framingham divorce lawyer and provides legal representation to clients in Boston Metrowest communities including: Ashland, Dedham, Marlborough, Natick, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley and Worcester.

David L. Rubin, Attorney at Law
Framingham Divorce Lawyer
929 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701
Telephone: (508) 875-9797
Fax: (508) 820-1560