Protecting Your Child’s Future: Experienced Child Custody Lawyers
Children typically adjust best to the world and their surroundings when both parents are involved in their lives physically, emotionally and financially. For children growing up in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, both parents must be involved in their child’s life to serve the best interest of the child.
Child custody – also known as time sharing in Florida – is an important issue in family law. How much time will you spend with your child? What does your life as a parent look like after divorce? How does time sharing affect child support payments?
Pyfrom & Reisler, P.A. family law firm in Boynton Beach, Florida serves Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Palm Beach County, and will help you answer these questions and work to determine the optimal time-sharing arrangement for you and your child.
Sensitive Yet Aggressive Child Custody Attorneys
As skilled, compassionate, understanding and assertive child custody lawyers here in Boynton Beach, we will guide you in determining what is in the best interest of your child. Finding a workable arrangement is the ultimate goal. Parents are encouraged to negotiate throughout the process, and we are not afraid to litigate when necessary.
You want and need personal time with your child. In advocating for you, we will make sure that opposing counsel and the courts know just how important and relevant you are in your child’s life. We can pursue shared custody arrangements with as much as a 50-50 split in parenting time. But if we see cracks in the façade and an unstable environment at the home of the other parent, we will fight for you to make sure your child is never in harm’s way.
In addition to determining child custody, we can help clients navigate changes in circumstances, such as relocation, remarriage, or changes in work schedules, that may require adjustments to existing custody arrangements. We can also assist with enforcing custody orders, working to ensure that both parents adhere to agreed-upon or court-ordered terms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody In Florida
Many parents have questions about child custody and parenting time in Florida, especially regarding their rights or legal obligations. Our team would be happy to provide answers and guidance, starting with some of the most frequently asked questions our firm sees:
How is child custody determined in Florida?
Courts in Florida focus on the child’s best interests. If parents are unable to craft a suitable agreement on their own, the court will use a variety of factors to decide custody. These include the child’s age, each parent’s physical and mental health, each parent’s financial ability to care for the child, the child’s relationships with extended family members or the community, religious or cultural considerations, if the child has special needs and much more. The court gathers all possible evidence to determine what will be the best outcome for the child.
Does a child’s preference affect child custody decisions in Florida?
Yes, this can be one of the factors that the court considers. However, the court is not obligated to adhere to the child’s preference when it would actually be in the child’s best interests to find a different solution. Additionally, children are only asked for their preference if the court deems them old enough and mature enough to make a rational decision and fully understand the ramifications.
How do I get sole custody?
Most courts assume that it is in a child’s best interests for parents to share custody so that the child can still have a relationship with each parent. However, sole custody can be awarded when one parent can demonstrate that there is a good reason to do so. Potential reasons include evidence of abuse or domestic violence, a parent with an extensive criminal record, or a parent’s issues with drug or alcohol dependence.
What is a temporary child custody order, and when should it be used?
A temporary child custody order is often handed out at the beginning of the divorce process. After all, a divorce could take six months or longer, and parents need to understand their rights during this process. Often, the temporary order will be in effect until the divorce is finalized, when it is overridden by the final order.
These answers can provide some valuable insights, but if you still have further questions, we would be happy to meet with you for a consultation.
What are the different types of custody arrangements?
There are many types of potential custody arrangements allowed in the state of Florida. These include temporary child custody, often used during the divorce, and permanent child custody for after the divorce concludes. Child custody can be awarded solely to one parent or shared jointly between both parents. Even when a parent does not have custody rights, they still have a right to pursue fair visitation arrangements.
Additionally, courts consider physical custody or parenting time, and legal custody, or the decision-making power that parents have to make crucial choices on their child’s behalf. Physical and legal custody do not have to be divided in an identical manner. Key decisions often involve health care, education, finances, religion and similar issues.
What are the custody laws for unmarried parents?
Unmarried parents can divide custody rights just like divorced parents. One potential complication arises if they did not sign an acknowledgment of paternity form at the hospital. Then, they may need to go through DNA or genetic testing in order to establish parental rights.
Can grandparents or other relatives seek custody?
Yes, in some cases, but they must demonstrate that it is in the child’s best interests. Grandparents sometimes receive custody if there is evidence of abuse, if the parents are incarcerated or if it is clear that the parents cannot provide a safe and healthy environment for the children. The court must have compelling evidence to take custody rights away from parents and give them to grandparents or other relatives.
What happens when a parent violates a custody order?
If a parent violates a custody order, they can be held in contempt of court. In some cases, this can put their custody rights in jeopardy. A parent who is ordered to share custody of their child with their ex and refuses to do so, for instance, could risk losing their custody rights entirely. It is important for parents not to violate court orders or try to rectify the situation on their own. Instead, they should petition the court to have the order enforced or modified.
Supporting The Best Interests Of Your Children
In family law, time sharing is the legal term for child custody. Time sharing is one of the most important issues in family law when parents have a tug-of-war over their children. At Pyfrom & Reisler, P.A. in Boynton Beach, Florida, our child custody lawyers will represent you and work toward a solution for you and your children. As sensitive and assertive attorneys, we are confident we can help you. Contact us online or call 561-354-0403.