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Helping Clients Resolve Difficult Issues During Divorce
The child custody agreement is one of the most critical matters during any divorce. Some couples can work out a parenting plan amicably through mediation or negotiations, making it unnecessary to bring the matter before a judge. However, many parents have a hard time determining the best path for child custody and visitation in their divorce. In these contested divorces, the matter goes to court, where a judge will study the details of the family and issue a child custody order.
Whatever type of child custody case you are facing, you should have the help of a child custody lawyer to understand your rights and ensure the best decisions are made on behalf of your children. Your lawyer can help align your parenting schedule with Florida law, making sure each parent has equal responsibility when it comes to important decisions regarding your child’s upbringing. Or, if your ex-husband or ex-wife was guilty of domestic violence, your lawyer can seek full custody and ensure you and your children are safe. We protect the children’s right to spend time with both parents, while ensuring the children’s safety.
Call our legal team right away for legal counsel when working on the custody arrangement. If your custody dispute goes before the family court, our family law attorney can represent you. Call our law office right away at 863-622-9602 to schedule a free consultation.
What Types of Child Custody Are There in Polk County?
In Florida, as in most states, the law recognizes two types of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the ability to make essential decisions in the child’s life, such as the child’s education, medical care, religion, and more. When many people think of custody, they think first of physical or residential custody, which refers to where the child lives. While the courts try to give shared custody when it comes to the decisions in a child’s life, one parent may be awarded sole custody if it is in the child’s best interests.
A child custody lawyer can help you achieve your goals to get the best care for your child, whether that means joint custody or getting you primary custody. If you are a non-custodial parent, your lawyer can ensure your visitation rights are protected through a visitation agreement that meets your needs. Call today to learn more about how we can help.
How Is Child Custody Decided in a Florida Divorce?
Child custody decisions are based on many factors, including:
- The mental health of each parent
- Each parent’s income
- Whether abuse has occurred
- The paternity of the alleged father
- The location of each parent’s home in relation to the child’s school and activities
- The desire of each parent to be a primary caregiver or share partial custody
- Each parent’s willingness to support their spouse
- Other factors
Former spouses will have the opportunity to reach a voluntary parenting agreement, including who will be the primary custodial parent or if time will be shared equally. The parents can also decide who will have the legal responsibility over the children and whether a visitation schedule or supervised visitation is appropriate. If the matter is not settled voluntarily, the child custody proceeding will take place in family court.
Should You Hire Our Polk County Child Custody Attorneys?
Children have a right to be raised by both parents who love and care for them. If possible, Florida law seeks to keep both parents as a part of the child’s life so everyone can enjoy the strong bonds of the family even beyond divorce. However, if an ex-spouse is manipulative or harmful to the child, a judge may rule in favor of one parent to have sole custody or only give supervised partial physical custody to the parent in question.
Call our law firm today for help understanding your rights and for lawyers who will fight for you during your divorce. We know how meaningful your family relationships are. Our 35 years of practice in family law make us your ideal allies when facing complex family issues such as child custody. We represent parents and grandparents who want to stay a part of the child’s life, and we will work tirelessly for a favorable outcome in your case. Call us immediately to schedule a free case review at 863-334-3270.