Child Custody laws can be a challenging aspect of Family Law cases in Orlando, FL. Whether you’re going through a Divorce or dealing with other Family Law matters, understanding these principles is imperative to ensure the best interests of your child or children are met.
Understanding Child Custody Laws in Florida
In Florida, Child Custody is referred to as “Timesharing” and “Parental Responsibility.” Timesharing determines the schedule each co-parent will have with the minor child or children, while Parental Responsibility relates to decision-making authority regarding the child’s upbringing. The primary consideration in any Custody determination is the best interests of the child, as outlined in Florida Statute 61.13.
Some of the factors considered in determining the best interests of the child include:
Health and Safety: Ensuring the child’s physical and emotional health and safety.
Emotional Ties: The ability of each co-parent to foster and maintain a close relationship with the child.
Stability: The stability of each co-parent’s home environment.
Co-Parenting Skills: The willingness and ability of both co-parents to cooperate and make shared decisions regarding the child.
Education Requirements: Meeting the child’s educational needs.
Presence of Domestic Violence: Any history of abuse or emotional/physical harm.
Collaborative Law Approach in Child Custody Cases:
Two of our Family Law Attorneys at The Marks Law Firm, P.A., are Collaboratively trained. We believe in the Collaborative Process and its ability to resolve Timesharing/Child Custody disputes. For those who don’t know, Collaborative Law emphasizes cooperation and common goals unlike traditional Litigation. This approach can often lead to more amicable solutions and reduce the emotional impact on both parties and the children involved.
The Collaborative Law Process offers Family Law Clients the following benefits:
Mutual Agreement: Both parties commit to resolving disputes without going to Court.
Team Approach: Each party has their own Collaboratively trained Family Law Attorney, and other professionals known as Neutrals may be involved. Examples of Neutrals include a Financial Advisor and a Mental Health Counselor.
Prioritizing Solutions: Parties work together to find creative solutions that meet the needs of both parents and children. In a Trial setting, decisions are left to a Judge with little consideration of what Clients really want. Collaborative Law allows for both parties to have a direct impact on the outcome of their case.
More Privacy: Documents related to a Family Law Collaborative case are not required to be filed with the Court, meaning they are not accessible to the public.
Less Expensive: Going to Court can lead to a lengthy Trial, and an increase in Attorney’s fees or other legal expenses, all of which contribute to the overall cost of your Family Law case. By choosing Collaborative Law, you are opting to avoid Court and for the opportunity to come to a resolution in as few as two Collaborative Team Meetings.
Whether you are seeking to establish a Timesharing schedule, modify an existing Custody arrangement/Parenting Plan, resolve a Child Custody dispute, or learn more about a Collaborative approach, our Legal Team is here to help. We remain committed to outcomes that reflect the best interests of your children while protecting your parental rights.
It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.”
Contact The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys today to schedule a Consultation with us. Let us help you understand and set up Timesharing in Orlando, FL, and focus on the best possible solutions for your family’s future.
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Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this blog is intended to constitute legal advice to any person or to apply to any specific Client fact scenario. The purpose of this blog is to provide a general overview of the subject matter and is again not intended to provide any legal advice or create any Attorney Client relationship.