Have you been involved in a child custody matter in Dr. Phillips, Florida? The Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers can help when you call (407) 420-2311. We offer a free case evaluation with a Dr. Phillips child custody lawyer so you can understand your rights and explore your legal options.
If you and your child’s other parent are no longer together, a formal custody arrangement can bring clarity to each parent’s responsibilities and help prevent future disputes. A knowledgeable attorney can explain how Florida law applies to your situation and guide you through each step.
Why Should You Choose Our Florida Law Firm for Your Child Custody Case?
Since our opening, the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers has been helping individuals with family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and support. Our firm is committed to guiding parents through challenging decisions with clarity and compassion.
Here’s why clients in Dr. Philips, FL, choose us:
- Our team has over 15 years of combined experience helping families just like yours.
- We strive to reach amicable agreements when possible through negotiation, mediation, or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, or we can take your case to court to fight for you at trial.
- You can expect us to provide you with honest legal advice and guidance throughout the process.
An experienced Dr. Philips family law attorney from our firm can meet with you during a free case evaluation to explain how Florida law can affect your case and provide you with trusted legal guidance.
Child Custody Laws in Florida
Florida custody laws use the terms parental responsibility and time-sharing when determining custody arrangements. Parents are encouraged to create a parenting plan detailing when each parent will spend time with the child, how decisions will be made, and how holidays or school breaks will be divided.
If parents cannot agree, the court will impose a plan based on the child’s best interests. The law begins with a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is appropriate. Courts may depart from this presumption when evidence shows that equal time-sharing would not support the child’s well-being.
Judges consider the child’s schedule, the parents’ availability, and the stability each home environment can provide when finalizing a plan.
Types of Child Custody in Florida
Florida child custody orders include information about the following types of custody:
- Physical custody: Physical custody refers to which parent the child lives with and which parent the child spends time with. It is generally called time-sharing in Florida.
- Legal custody: Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about the child, including their education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities.
In either or both cases, the court can order sole or joint custody. Sole custody means that only one parent has the right, while joint custody means that the parents share the right. Even when both parents share legal custody, one parent is usually given the final say.
Factors That Influence Custody Decisions in Florida
When parents cannot reach an agreement, the court evaluates a range of factors to determine what arrangement will serve the child’s best interests. These factors help judges understand the child’s needs and each parent’s ability to meet them.
Some of the key considerations include:
- Each parent’s willingness to support a close, ongoing relationship between the child and the other parent
- The ability of each parent to follow the time-sharing schedule and adapt when reasonable changes arise
- The physical and mental health of each parent
- Who has historically provided primary care for the child
- Each parent’s work schedule, responsibilities, and ability to make adjustments
- Whether each parent can maintain a stable and consistent routine
- The child’s school, home, and community, and the benefits of preserving those connections
- The permanence and stability of each parent’s proposed living situation
- How close the parents live to one another
- Each parent’s knowledge of the child’s needs and their ability to meet those needs
- The child’s preference, if they are mature enough to express one
- Any evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or abandonment
Courts must address these factors in their written findings when issuing or modifying a parenting plan.
Can Existing Child Custody Orders Be Modified in Florida?
A child custody or time-sharing order can be modified in Florida, but only when there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances. Courts will not revise an order simply because a parent wants a different schedule.
Instead, the parent seeking a modification must show that the change is significant and that a new arrangement would be in the child’s best interests. Common reasons for seeking modification include:
- Major changes in a parent’s work schedule
- Relocation
- Concerns about stability or safety
- Shifts in the child’s educational or developmental needs.
Parents may agree to a new plan and submit it for court approval, or—if they cannot agree—the court will conduct a review and issue a revised order.
Contact a Florida Child Custody Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation
If you were recently served with legal papers regarding child custody or would like to file a petition for child custody in Dr. Philips, Florida, the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers can help.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable Dr. Phillips child custody lawyer and learn how we can help.