Located on the Atlantic Ocean about 25 miles north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a prominent city in the South Florida metropolitan area. The average family size there was 3.00 people, as of 2010, and the median family income was about $60,000. When a family breaks up, the question of child custody often arises. This tends to be a particularly complicated and emotional issue for both parents, each of whom deserves to have their interests represented. Fort Lauderdale timesharing lawyer Carmen G. Soto can zealously advocate for your rights. She believes that everyone should have access to legal representation at these critical moments in their lives, so we offer flexible payment plans to ease the financial burdens on our clients. In addition, our office is located near the new Broward County courthouse, which means that we do not need to charge our clients any travel costs or parking fees. Our staff is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Florida courts make child custody determinations based on what is in the best interest of the child. Agreements regarding children are now called “timesharing agreements” rather than custody orders. Timesharing agreements concern how much time the child will spend living with each parent. The court will determine how decisions are to be made regarding the minor children.
There is a presumption that shared parental responsibility is beneficial to the child unless the court finds that it would be detrimental. For example, a judge may find that a parent should not have timesharing when there has been a history of child abuse or neglect, domestic or sexual violence, or substance abuse. In some situations, supervised visitation may also be an option.
When deciding what is in the best interest of a particular child, courts tend to look at each parent’s involvement in the child’s life, as well as each parent’s capacity and willingness to meet the child’s needs as he or she matures. The ability to provide a stable routine and participate in the child’s daily activities may be useful evidence in this regard. A parent may also benefit from showing that he or she participated in helping raise the child before the divorce and has established relationships with other important people in the child’s life, such as teachers and doctors. A child who is sufficiently mature to make intelligent decisions about the parent with whom he or she wants to live may be able to express that preference and have a judge grant it some weight.
Florida law requires parents who will share time with their children to create a written parenting plan. It must include information regarding how the parents will divide responsibility for daily parenting tasks, a timesharing schedule, the means by which each parent will be able to contact the child, a designated address for the child’s school registration and activities, and a designation of who will be responsible for matters regarding the child’s education and medical treatment.
With over 15 years of experience, Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney Carmen G. Soto will work hard to help you understand your legal rights and options. We also represent people in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, Lauderhill, Weston, Tamarac, Margate, Hallandale Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, and other cities in Broward County. Call us at 954-523-0703 or contact us online to set up a phone consultation with a knowledgeable divorce attorney.