Orlando Child Custody & Timesharing Lawyer
When parents no longer live together, a court needs to decide who the children will live with and when. A judge also needs to decide how important decisions will be made, which can be difficult when a couple no longer lives together as a unit.
In Florida, child custody and visitation are now called timesharing and parental responsibility. However, the change in terminology has not made these issues any less contentious. If you need help gearing up for a custody fight, then you should contact an experienced Orlando child custody lawyer as soon as possible.
How a Judge Decides Timesharing and Parental Responsibilities
Divorcing parents are free to come up with their own timesharing and parenting plan, and Florida has adopted a public policy that favors both parents maintaining frequent and continuing contact with their children. Indeed, a judge will award parental responsibility to one parent solely only in rare situations, such as when one parent has a history of abuse.
Nevertheless, in our experience, many parents cannot agree to a timesharing and parenting plan. If not, then they will need to present evidence to a judge in a hearing, and the judge will decide who the child lives with and which parent has the legal right to make important decisions.
Child custody and timesharing decisions are always made with your child’s best interests at heart. To make this determination, a judge will look at many factors, including the following partial list:
- Each parent’s physical and mental health;
- Each parent’s moral fitness;
- The willingness of each parent to promote the child’s relationship with the other parent;
- The child’s school, home, and community record;
- How long the child has lived in a stable environment; and
- The child’s preference, if the child is sufficiently old and intelligent.
How an Orlando Child Custody & Timesharing Lawyer Can Help
At DSK Law, our lawyers have helped many divorcing parents come up with timesharing plans that work for them. For example, we can help you through the mediation process, where you can discuss your dispute with the other parent and a neutral mediator.
If mediation breaks down, we can also effectively represent you in court. We understand how to gather the evidence necessary to convince a judge to decide the issues in your favor, and we are aggressive advocates for our clients.
With so much at stake, do you really want to trust the future of your children to an inexperienced attorney?
Timesharing & Parenting Modifications
Our firm also has experience seeking modifications of timesharing orders. Many of our clients at some point will get a new job, remarry, or need to leave the state. In other situations, the other parent will want to move and want to take the children with them.
Timesharing and parenting schedules are not carved in stone, though modification is difficult. Our firm understands how to present your case to the judge in a compelling way that can invite modification or block it if you want to maintain the status quo.
Let Our Skilled Child Custody & Timesharing Lawyers Help You
Of all the disputed issues in divorce, child custody issues are some of the most difficult and emotional. At this stressful time, you need a compassionate advocate in your corner who has only your best interests in mind.
For a free consultation with an Orlando child custody & timesharing attorney, please reach out to us today. Our attorneys at DSK Law are eager to assist you immediately.