Many Broward County couples with children choose to end their relationship or marriage. As such, they will often need to determine an appropriate child custody arrangement. While some parents are able to amicably come to an agreement regarding the custody of their child, many child custody disputes become contentious and can lead to protracted litigation. If you and your child’s co-parent do not live together or are no longer romantically involved, it is advisable to consult an attorney regarding your case. The Broward County child custody attorneys of the Law Offices of Carmen G. Soto, P.A. understand what it takes to obtain a swift and fair resolution of custody disputes, and if you hire us, we will fight to help you protect your parental rights.
In Florida, child custody is referred to as parental responsibility, which encompasses the right to make important decisions about how a child will be raised and cared for, and time-sharing, which refers to the right to spend time with a child. If parents can reach an agreement on these matters, they must create a written parenting plan and file it with the court for approval. This plan should outline how daily tasks will be divided, specify a time-sharing schedule, and determine who will handle issues relating to the child’s education and medical care. If the court finds a parenting plan to be in a child’s best interest, it will typically approve the plan.
If parents are unable to agree on custody, the court will step in and set forth an order that defines parental responsibility and time-sharing rights. The court’s primary concern in such cases is the best interest of the child. Various factors will be considered, including the health and capacity of each parent, the child’s ties to the community, and the child’s developmental stage and needs. The court may also consider which parent has historically been the primary caregiver and who is more likely to prioritize the child’s needs over their own. The court does not take either parent’s gender into consideration when determining custody arrangements, however.
Based on these factors, the court will issue an order that outlines parental responsibility and establishes a time-sharing schedule. In most cases, the court will grant both parents parental responsibility and time-sharing rights, as it is generally presumed to be in the child’s best interest to have a close relationship with each parent. Even if equal time is granted, it does not exempt either parent from seeking child support. In certain circumstances, the court may grant one parent sole parental responsibility and may or may not allow the other parent time-sharing rights.
In Florida, either parent has the right to seek child support from the other parent, regardless of whether they have been granted equal time-sharing rights by the court. Even if a parent has been denied parental responsibility or time-sharing rights, the court may still require that parent to provide financial support for the child, as the determination of child support is separate from the decision on time-sharing and parental responsibility.
While most parents in Broward County want what is best for their child, they may not always agree as to what division of custody is in a child’s best interest, and it becomes necessary to take legal action to dissolve many custody disputes. If you have a child and wish to solidify your custody arrangement, you should confer with an attorney to discuss your parental rights. The Broward County child custody attorneys of Law Offices of Carmen G. Soto, P.A., have ample experience representing people in actions to determine parental rights and obligations, and if you hire us, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. The firm’s staff and attorneys are fluent in Spanish, which allows us to provide comprehensive service to our Spanish-speaking clients. We are also mindful of the economic hardships many people pursuing custody actions face, and we offer loans and flexible payment plans tailored to clients’ economic situations. We are conveniently located across from the Broward County courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, saving clients parking fees and travel costs. We proudly serve clients in various cities in Broward County, including Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Coral Springs, and others. You can set up a consultation by calling us at 954-523-0703 or using our online contact form.