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If you are a parent about to go through a divorce, you are likely more than a little worried about how the divorce will impact your kids and the time you get to spend with them. Child custody is a major concern in most divorces. When you hire Jeffrey Law, PA, it will be among our highest priorities as well.

Below is some information about child custody laws and practices in Florida, which will hopefully make it easier to envision how the process will go. The first thing to know is that child custody now goes by two other names: time-sharing and parental responsibility. The first term refers to the schedule of when each parent is with the children. The latter refers to decision-making authority on behalf of the kids.

A Negotiated Agreement Gives You More Control

You know your children better than a judge does. If you and your spouse/co-parent can negotiate peacefully with one another, you can draft the details of your time-sharing agreement together. If it doesn’t violate law or policy, a judge is likely to approve it.

Drafting it with your co-parent gives both of you more control over the details and the outcome of the order. The agreement can include not just the time-sharing schedule, but also the allocation of parental responsibility over significant aspects of your child’s life such as education, health care and exposure to religion.

What Can You Expect From A Court Ruling?

If you cannot negotiate a workable agreement with your spouse, your case will go before a judge. Each case is unique and will be determined on its own merits, and the final decision must be based on the best interests of the child or children. That being said, it is generally a good idea to set your expectations based on the outcomes that are most common in Florida parenting plans.

Florida judges like to start with the assumption that children should have regular and continuing contact with both parents, unless there are compelling reasons to deviate from that. If both parents are fit, an equitable time-sharing agreement is likely the goal. Note that equitable doesn’t always mean perfectly equal. The specifics of when children are with each parent will depend on overall family circumstances, the age of the children, parental work schedules and other factors.

While an equitable time-sharing arrangement is the default position, we can help you make a case for an unbalanced allocation of time or even for sole custody. We just need to be prepared to justify this to the court and support our argument with evidence.

Court Orders Can Be Modified In Time

Your custody agreement, once finalized, is both legally binding and enforceable. But circumstances change over time. When they change significantly, you may be able to petition the court for a change in the order. Learn more by visiting our modifications page.

Consult With An Experienced Family Law Attorney Today

Jeffrey Law, PA, is fully dedicated to the wellbeing of our clients and their children. When you hire us, you can be confident that we will advocate passionately and effectively in time-sharing and parental responsibility concerns. To arrange your initial consultation with our divorce lawyer, contact our firm in Miami by calling 305-703-0702. You can also fill out our online contact form.