Child Custody FAQ

Our West Palm Beach Child Custody Attorney Is Here to Help

By their nature, child custody cases often elicit strong emotions. This may be because parents care deeply about the well-being of their children. Tensions may also be high from a recent or ongoing divorce process. Whatever your circumstances, it is natural to have many questions about child custody, the legal process and what to expect in a child custody dispute. Below, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about child custody in Florida for your convenience.

How do the Courts determine child custody in Florida?

In Florida, judges determine custody rights based on what will be most beneficial to the child. Generally, a joint custody, or shared parental responsibility, ruling is usually favored by default. This ruling is subject to change if the judge finds it to be detrimental to the best interest of the child.

A child’s best interests involve their need for healthy and safe living conditions. It also includes having a parent or parents who put the child’s needs first. The parent(s) should be actively involved in their child’s life.

Can the Father Get Child Custody?

The only case in which sex is relevant to a child custody case is when paternity has not been established. Once it is clear who the father is, Florida grants no privileges to either parent based on sex. Instead, courts decide custody rulings based on the best interests of the child.

Do Moms Always Get Child Custody?

No. While an unmarried mother will get legal custody by default, this situation is not set in stone. Florida grants no special privileges to any parents on the basis of sex. Instead, the courts usually rule in favor of shared parental responsibility.

How do the Courts enforce custody agreements?

After the parents and courts reach an agreement about custody and time-sharing, parents must adhere to them by law. When a parent fails or refuses to follow the parenting plan, the other parent may pursue legal action.

You may need to file a targeted motion detailing the violations so it can be remedied. Our West Palm Beach child custody lawyer can help you understand your best options.

What Is Time-Sharing?

If the court rules that both parents will share responsibilities, then the parents must agree to a time-sharing schedule. This schedule includes details of how and when the child’s needs will be met through an outlined plan for the child’s development.

The plan may include how and where the child goes to school, sees a physician, and how much time they spend with each parent. If both parents cannot agree upon a satisfactory time-sharing schedule, then a judge will step in.

How Do I Get Sole Custody in Florida?

Getting sole custody, more accurately termed as “sole parental responsibility.” of a child does not mean that the other parent is completely out of the picture. Sole parental responsibility means that one parent has the responsibility of making big life decisions for the child. The other parent must honor the big picture decisions that the parent with sole parental responsibility makes.

Usually, the court appoints sole parental responsibility to one parent if the other parent is in some way an unfit guardian. When does a court deem a parent is unfit? This often happens when the parent has a history with drug abuse, domestic violence, mental health issues or child abuse or neglect.

How Long Does a Child Custody Case Take in Florida?

The timespan of a child custody, also termed as “parental responsibility”, case in Florida depends on many influencing factors. Disagreement among parents about the time-sharing plan or responsibilities may slow down the case. If parents cannot come to a reasonable agreement, then they will likely spend a lot of time in court.

Psychological examinations of the child or testimonies from third parties may also take time. The more complicated or contentious the case, the more time you can expect a child custody case to take.

What Are Florida’s Custody Laws for Unmarried Parents?

If paternity is not recognized in court, an unmarried father has no custody or time-sharing rights. In this case, mothers have full legal custody to children by default. If a DNA test confirms paternity, the Court grants the unmarried father parental rights and time-sharing rights.

What Are Florida’s Child Custody Laws About Moving Out of State?

If a parent decides to move from Florida to a different state, they must have the decision approved before relocating the child. This can happen a couple of ways. The other parent can approve and the court can sign off on the arrangement. In other cases, the decision is brought before a judge who may find the benefits of a relocation outweigh the costs. Generally speaking, the relocation has to be found in the best interest of the child.